How to Protect Your Anonymity & Confidentiality
Identity theft is when a person or a group of people steal your identity and are able to make large purchases while pretending to be you. This can have a damaging effect on your credit score, your income and your life. Protecting yourself from identity theft at all times is important, especially when using the Internet. The Internet makes it easy for thieves to gain your information, and protecting your anonymity and confidentiality while online should be a high priority.
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Instructions
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Refuse to give personal information away on the Internet, unless the site is trusted and secure. A site you can trust will have "https" in the website address, meaning the website is secure and protected.
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Delete all suspicious emails immediately, and do not respond to emails from people you don't know. Never give your information to anyone claiming to be your bank, for example. Call your bank directly to discuss any emails you receive that concern you. Most fake emails will not use your real name, but will instead say "Dear Customer."
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Run spyware and antivirus scans regularly to ensure that programs are not hidden in your computer stealing your information, such as passwords or any private information. Never download or open any files from websites or people you do not know.
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Use different screen names for every website. By varying your screen name, you will make it harder for anyone to determine who you are. Likewise, use a different password for each website, as having one password for every website can be dangerous if someone were to figure out your password.
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Create strong passwords. Use numbers in place of letters -- for example, the password "Internet" would become "1nt3rn3t." Ensure your password has at least one number in it and that it is not information someone could easily guess about you. For example, a mother of two would not want to use "MotherofTwo" as her password.
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