How to Avoid Identity Theft Online

Most people are very concerned with online identify theft, especially when making online transactions. Using the Internet is an everyday occurrence, but along with such convenience comes the potential of having your information stolen, credit cards misused and personal and medical information disclosed. Here are a few simple steps you can take to avoid identity theft online.

Instructions

1. Avoid giving your Social Security number to any online party unless it is unavoidable to do so. Reasonable requests for your SSN include opening a bank account or applying for a mortgage or student loan. Websites selling CDs or furniture should have little reason to ask for your SSN.

2. Make sure sites where you enter information use SSL (secure socket layer) encryption. Most web browsers display a padlock icon to indicate if the site you are using has appropriate security layers. Newer web browsers have "phishing" filters, which check websites' authenticity (many fraudulent sites are very similar in design to legitimate websites).

3. Accept offers for credit only when you have initiated the contact. If you want to open a credit card account, go directly to a bank website and begin the application process. Never click on a link in an email that asks you to enter personal information.

4. Purchase virus protection software and a firewall and keep them running regularly on your computer. Many security systems help prevent information tracking programs and identity information-stealing viruses or cookies designed to collect and misuse personal information.

5. Select passwords that are hard to crack when accessing information-sensitive websites. Use a combination of numbers, letters and special characters, and avoid obvious passwords such as your name, birthday or anniversary.