Few people these days have to be warned about the dangers of Internet identity theft. Most computer users are now wary of thieves acquiring their information through the Internet. Identity theft is actually perpetrated more often through physical means: a scam phone call, a bank statement plucked out of the garbage, etc., but for many people, the Internet is so mysterious that it is believed to present a much greater threat.
This is not to say that Internet identity theft should not be a concern: It definitely should be. There are a number of ways that a savvy identity thief can get crucial, private information about you over the Internet and use it to his or her own advantage. However, if you are as careful about protecting your private data online as you are in real life, you should be able to enjoy what the Internet has to offer without being scared off by online identity theft scams.
Most commonly, thieves on the Internet will be trying to get passwords, keys that unlock myriad amounts of personal data online that they can use to their advantage. They will often do this by sending you an instant message or email containing a link. This message will look like it comes from a trusted source, such as an online auction site or even your bank. However, the link actually leads to a dummy site that looks just like yours. When you input your password, the thieves get it and go to work stealing your identity. Computer identity theft is real!
A tech-savvy identity thief may also hack into a site that you are transmitting data to, clone or intercept the transmission, and use the information for himself. This is the type of identity theft people are most concerned about, and although it is not that common, it is something to consider.
If you’re worried about somebody hijacking your transmission, all you need to do is make sure any financial or sensitive personal data you provide is done through a secure, encrypted server. All major shopping and bank sites have these, but to be sure, look for the “SSL” or an icon of a lock or key to verify that your transaction is protected. If someone is asking for your password, close out the email or IM and type the web address of the party asking directly into your web browser. When you get to the site, see if there are any messages for you or account problems. In all likelihood there will not be. Finally, be careful about the information you provide to social networking sites. Assume that putting information on a social networking site is the same as leaving it in the street for anyone to see.
The best way to protect yourself from Internet identity theft is to enroll in a credit monitoring service . With this service, you’ll immediately get an email if there’s any suspicious credit activity in your name, and you’ll be able to act fast to cut identity thieves down.