Which of the following is not a recommended method to protect you from identity theft?
Among the fastest-growing crimes globally is identity theft. Every day, thousands of individuals are scammed as fraudsters rob them of their identity to profit financially from it. Which one of these is NOT recommended to to protect you from identity theft? This is important because, quite frankly, knowing what NOT to do is just as valuable as knowing the right steps to follow. Have you ever given a friend your passwords or accessed your bank account using public Wi-Fi? If that’s the case, there’s a good chance that you are inadvertently risking your health. So, to help you keep your personal data secure, let’s break down the do’s and don’ts of identity protection.
What is Identity Theft and Why Should You Be Aware of It?
Identity theft can occur because of data breaches or through phishing scams, among other ways. Criminals with your stolen identity may be able to open credit accounts, apply for loans or even commit crimes under your name. Once your identity has been compromised, it can take months — if not years — to recover.
Most common methods of identity theft:
- These are phishing emails and phone scams
- Importantly, data violations from companies and banks
- Malware and spyware on individual devices
- Gas station or ATM skimming of credit cards
Now, let’s look at which of the following is NOT a best practice for protecting yourself against identity theft.
Reusing Passwords Across Accounts (Bad Practice)
It’s convenient, so a lot of people share the same password for several accounts. Yet, this is one of the biggest blunders you can make. Downloaded By: at: 09:33 2023-10-18 [5169 – 6710] Open access 6711 If a hacker gains access to one of your accounts, they can easily login to others.
What Should You Do Instead?
Generate and store your unique passwords, with a password manager. Use 2FA to protect your account even more. Rotate your passwords every few months and don’t use the same ones.
Using Public Wi-Fi to Make Financial Transactions (Not Recommended)
You may think checking your bank balance while sipping a cup of coffee at a café is innocent enough. It’s not. Public Wi-Fi networks are inherently unsecure and enable hackers to ‘sniff’ your data (sniffing is the practice of intercepting and logging traffic, such as that which would go over a wireless network).
What Should You Do Instead?
When connecting to sensitive information, use a virtual private network (VPN). Do not log into financial accounts on public networks. Avoid public Wi-Fi and take advantage of mobile data wherever available.
This is a r recommended step: social media sharing personal information
What could possibly go wrong by posting your birthday, your pet’s name or your first car on social media? Wrong. That’s exactly what many security questions use, so that makes it easier for criminals to hack your accounts.
What Should You Do Instead?
Limit the amount of personal information you share online. Change your privacy settings to limit who can view your posts Do not post travel plans as they happen (not to mention the physical security risks).
Professional Shredding Services (Most Recommended)
Manuscripts Read More Some break old bank statements or credit card offers into tiny pieces before tossing them into a bin. This is a mistake. Identity thieves sift through garbage in search of sensitive documents.
What Should You Do Instead?
- Shred any documents that contain personal information before you throw them away.
- Choose online statements over paper to minimize paper trails.
- Store important physical paperwork in a locked safe.
Using Strong, Unique Security Questions (Recommended)
Common security questions include “What is your mother’s maiden name?” or “What’s the name of your first pet?” These can be simple for hackers to discover — particularly if they stalk your social media.
What Should You Do Instead?
- Select security questions with hard to guess answers.
- Use answers that are random or which only you know, “squirrel” or “watermelon”.
- Write down your answers to your security questions in a password manager.
Frequency: Once per quarter (Recommended)
Monitoring your credit report is your best offense for catching identity theft early. If a scammer opens an account in your name, you have to spot it quickly.
What Should You Do Instead?
- Review your credit report at least once a year (or more frequently if you can).
- Use freeze on your credit if you’re not actively applying for loans.
- Create alerts for suspicious activity.
Clicking Links in Unsolicited Emails (Not Recommended)
If you see an email from your “bank” requesting that you verify your account details, think twice before clicking. One of the most common manners in which identity theft occurs are through phishing scams.
What Should You Do Instead?
Whenever you get an email, call the company for verification. If you hover over the link before clicking, it will show you where it leads. Never download attachments from an unknown sender.
Conclusion
Identity theft can ruin lives, but with some caution, your identity can be kept safe. Just as important to understand as the best practices is the question of which of the following is not a recommended way to protect you from identity theft. Even small things — like using a password manager, never using public Wi-Fi to conduct any financial transactions, and shredding documents containing sensitive information, like credit card numbers — can help.
So, the next time you’re tempted to reuse a password or log into your bank account using a coffee shop’s Wi-Fi, just remember: your identity is your most valuable asset. Protect it wisely.
