Protecting personal information is pivotal in a society where your identity can be stolen overnight, and your credit ruined for a decade. It’s so disturbing to think about that some people choose not to deal with the issue at all, leaving themselves willing victims. If you want to fight the good fight and prevent identity burglars from stealing your sensitive digits, here are a few methods that work.
Devices to Destroy After Use
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There are many devices that simply can’t be wiped sufficiently. Somehow, your data is still swimming around on them even after a three-time wipe & fill effort. Here is a list of devices that always must be destroyed to ensure 100% that your identity is safe:
Computer Hard Drives
Hard drive destruction services are affordable and efficient. They guarantee that no phishers will ever reel-in your personal information.
Mobile Devices
While many smartphones can be resold for hundreds of dollars, destroying them is best in a world where a stolen identity can cost you thousands.
Keys & Passwords
Both your keys and your passwords need to be destroyed (figuratively) when they’re no longer of use. Never risk being discovered as the man who always uses, “1-2-3-4,” as your password of choice.
Documents That Are Sensitive
From medical documents to tax papers, there are too many risks involved in trashing sensitive information. Shred-It thoroughly ensures that no one pulls it out of a trash heap or from your own backyard garbage can.
Activities That Need to Be Faithful Habits
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There are a few daily activities that everyone should incorporate into life as faithful habits. Here are the most important ones to secure your information.
Updating Security Codes
If you are smart enough to use a security system for your home, trash, gas tank or car doors, then you should also know that it needs to be updated frequently. It can be a hassle to come up with new codes every day, but it’s worth it to keep your family, identity, and possessions safe.
Changing Passwords
It should go without saying that every password you use needs to change frequently. Too many people think one strong password is sufficient for years of usage; they are disillusioned when hackers get into every account associated with the victim in less than ten minutes because the victim made it so easy. The quick task of a password change could prevent you from becoming one of the 11.6 million adults with a stolen identity.
Wiping Internet History
Your boss isn’t the only one curious about what you’ve been doing at your desk all day: office snoops and hackers are equally curious to get into your Internet history. Do yourself a favor and wipe it as often as you think of it. Make sure you do it at least once a day, removing all cookies.
Search New Computers for Spyware
Both friendly and un-friendly spyware could be on any computer you use. While workplaces might just be ensuring their own security by spying on you, office snoops and outsiders could be installing keystroke spyware to capture all of your passwords, secrets, and contact information.
Never Install Monitoring software
It is very common for the business organization to use computer monitoring software for keeping record of employee activities, never allow your employer or anyone else to install this software on your personal computers even if you are working from home.
With due diligence and ample vigilance, you will be the last one standing who hasn’t been hacked. Most people can already name a handful of people by name who have had their identities stolen: make sure you’re never among them with these simple strategies. However, if you ever are unfortunate in this way, the Identity Theft Resource Center has clear instructions to help you survive the stress.
Sources
- http://www.pchell.com/hardware/destroyingdataonaharddrive.shtml
- http://www.identity-theft-tips.com/the-importance-of-shredding-documents/
- http://www.securitymattersmag.com/security-matters-magazine-article-detail.php?id=327
- http://www.idtheftcenter.org/?source=googleSS&gclid=CPC62onIjrYCFdSnPAod0z4Anw
- https://www.javelinstrategy.com/brochure/239