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Computer Identity Theft - Six Sure-Fire Ways to Protect Yourself

Legal:Identity-Theft Article Guide

By: Duncan Roberts

Computer identity theft becomes a possibility and a reality for anyone who uses the Internet to make a number of transactions that reveal personal information. For those who give credit card information over the Internet, you are even more susceptible to computer identity theft. Although neophytes to the great WWW are often the targets, even those who have been using the Internet for a long time now could still become victims to computer identity theft.

However, by learning how to protect yourself from computer identity theft, you can continue to make credit card transactions over the internet without allowing anyone to make unauthorized transactions using your information.

How to Prevent Computer Identity Theft

First, you need to ensure that you have very unique passwords to avoid computer identity theft. Oftentimes, passwords are recommended to be alpha-numeric and should not be similar to your name so that they are more difficult to crack and decipher. You should also have different passwords for different transactions to guard against computer identity theft.

As much as possible, passwords should not be dates that are of relevance to you such as birthdays or anniversaries. If you can, try making up a completely new word instead of using tried and true phrases. You should also change your password on a periodic basis just to be on the safe side. Even if you do not think that your password has been revealed in one way or the other, changing it can protect you from computer identity theft.

Another way to protect yourself against computer identity theft is by using a credit card instead of a debit card. Although both generally offer the same safety features, it is much easier to refute credit card charges and get refunds for them than with debit cards.

When purchasing online, conduct some research if you think that the company you are making a transaction with seems to have a dubious reputation. Logos from purchaser’s groups are a good indication that these companies are reputable. Make sure that you click on these logos to ensure that these endorsers are legitimate firms. Remember that information is power, whether you are the victim of computer identity theft or the perpetrator.

A disposable e-mail address is also another safety precaution you should take. Sign up for those free web mail accounts and use these for online transactions. You want to avoid giving out your office or personal e-mail accounts to the same companies because they might be able to gain access to your mailbox and retrieve personal information for computer identity theft.

If you receive e-mail asking you to sign up for a credit card over the Internet or asking you to confirm your credit card information, do not proceed. Most of these are just scams that surely lead to the dangerous road of computer identity theft.

A little precaution goes a long way! So heed the tips above and go online safely.

Duncan Roberts has not only been online an awfully long time, he's been advising on how to avoid online identity theft for almost as long. Read more of his advice and preventative steps at http://www.keep-your-id.com/online-identity-theft.php

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