Though the internet offers a wealth of information and conveniences, its mostly unregulated and anonymous framework is an identity thief’s dream. Here are just a few tips for staying safe online.
- If your personal information — your name, email or home address, phone number, account numbers, or Social Security number — is requested, make sure you find out how it’s going to be used and how it will be protected before you share it. Check for indicators that the site is secure, such as a lock icon on the browser’s status bar or a website URL beginning with “https.” (The “s” stands for secure.) Teach your children not to give out their last name, home address or phone number on the internet.
- Read companies’ security policies.
- Don’t respond to emails that are urgently asking you to update or validate your account information. Often such emails will direct you to a website that looks like the real one, but is really a fake. Don’t click on the link. Rather, contact the company you are dealing with directly. Legitimate companies will not ask you for sensitive information via email.
- Protect your passwords, and be original in the passwords you use. They should not all be identical, and they should not reflect your username.
- Make sure to install and use antivirus and firewall protection.
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Use parental controls on your computer. Remember, parental controls are a supplement – not a substitute – for parental supervision.