Cybercrime Is Real: 8 Ways To Protect Your Identity

2. Create Strong, Unique Passwords Stored in a Secure Location

Most websites require just two or three elements to log in: a username, a password, and sometimes an additional security step, like a security question or authentication code.

Your passwords play an important role in keeping your online accounts safe. Common passwords like your pet’s name, a best friend’s name, birthdays, graduation dates, or anniversaries are easily guessed or found online. 

Stronger passwords are more secure, and you can improve yours with these tips:

• Avoid personal information or anything publicly available, like birthdays or addresses.
• Mix capitalization for added complexity.
• Include a variety of characters—letters, numbers, and symbols—where possible.
• Use longer passwords, ideally 15 characters or more.
• Avoid predictable sequences like 123, abc, or adjacent keys on the keyboard (asdf, qwer, etc.).

No two passwords should be identical. If one site is hacked, you don’t want other accounts exposed. Make unique passwords for every account, including financial accounts, email, and streaming services.

It’s also wise to update passwords frequently (every few months or so) for extra security. Avoid saving passwords in your browser’s “remember me” feature; if your device falls into the wrong hands, your accounts could be easily accessed.

To manage multiple complex passwords safely, consider a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or iCloud Keychain. These tools securely store all your passwords, generate strong ones for you, and even alert you if a credential has been compromised. With a password manager, you only need to remember one master password, making it easier to maintain strong, unique credentials across all your accounts.

Finally, never share your passwords via email or other unsecured channels, and if you prefer a physical record, store it securely. Taking these steps helps protect your data, your information, and your digital life.

3. Don’t Share Sensitive Personal or Financial Information via Email, Text, or Other Unsecured Methods

One of the simplest ways for scammers to get your information is if you give it to them.

Personal information should remain just that – personal. 

Don’t share information like your Social Security number, bank information, credit card numbers, log-in credentials, or other financial information with someone you don’t know or trust over an unsecured platform like email, text, or over the phone (in most cases).

While some email platforms are getting better at recognizing and flagging spam messages, hackers can still find their way into your inbox. If you receive an email asking for any personal information, report it as spam and move on. 

4. Be Able to Identify Phishing or Other Scams

Spotting scams is your first line of defense. It’s important to be vigilant and aware of the common and new scams. Being skeptical of unsolicited communications is important. If you didn’t initiate the interaction, whether it’s an email, text, or phone call, approach it with caution. 

Red flags to watch for include:

• Messages creating a false sense of urgency
• Unexpected communications about money owed
• Requests to click links or call unfamiliar phone numbers
• Anyone asking for access to your computer or passwords
• Suggestions to purchase gift cards as a solution

When it comes to emails and messages from unknown senders, proceed with caution. When it comes to emails, avoid clicking on links from senders you don’t trust as sometimes a link can infect your computer with malware. 

If you aren’t sure an email is safe, reread the text language and remember the following: 

• Scammers bring urgency, they don’t want you to sit back and think about the demand. If you see time-sensitive language like “urgently” or “now,” it’s a red flag.
• Many online scams also rely on threatening language or scare tactics to get what they want. If you get an email with this type of language, report the email as spam.
• Check to see if you recognize the sender and ensure the email address looks legit. Sometimes this field can be a dead giveaway something is awry.
• Consider the overall language. Are there grammatical errors and tonal shifts? Was the greeting overly formal or too casual?
• Many phishing emails contain suspicious downloads or links. If you encounter this, avoid downloading or clicking on the material.

Similar tactics are used for phone scams: urgent language, random occurrence, requesting secrecy, etc. When in doubt, independently contact the organization through verified channels rather than using contact information provided in the message. You can contact companies directly by typing the website URL yourself or calling a number you found on an official website, not the one in the email.

5. Use Your Personal Computer

Accessing financial information like your brokerage account or credit card on a public computer can cause potential data breaches. You don’t know if a computer has malware already downloaded.

When possible, only access these elements on a personal computer on a private internet connection. 

You may not always be able to use your personal computer. If that’s the case, always do the following:

• Completely log out of your account. Do not just close or minimize the tab
• Delete your browsing history

In general, avoid accessing your financial information on a public computer like the library, for example. 

6. Keep Your Devices Secure

Regular maintenance of your devices is an important part of keeping your information secure. Here are some steps to help protect your digital life:

• Keep devices up to date: Install updates for your computer, phone, and tablet regularly to patch security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
• Restart devices regularly: A weekly restart can help apply updates and keep your system running smoothly.
• Enable encryption: Protect sensitive data on your devices by turning on encryption features whenever possible.
• Use automatic updates: Whenever available, enable automatic updates for your operating system, apps, and security software to stay protected without having to remember manual updates.
• Check security settings: Periodically review device settings and permissions to make sure apps or programs aren’t accessing more information than necessary.
• Back up important data: Regular backups, whether to a secure cloud service or external drive, can help protect your information if a device is lost, stolen, or compromised.

Taking these steps can help keep your devices and the data on them safe from threats.

7. Stay Cautious on Public Internet Networks

Many public networks don’t have the same privacy and security protections as private networks. Unless you’ve installed personal security software or are using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), it’s good practice to avoid accessing sensitive accounts, like banking or health information, at coffee shops, airports, or hotel Wi-Fi. Even hotel and other seemingly secure networks can pose risks.

Wireless networks, in general, aren’t as secure as wired, ethernet connections, so be mindful of what you access over Wi-Fi. When possible, use cellular data instead of public Wi-Fi. If you must use a public network, consider using your phone’s hotspot feature or a VPN to encrypt your connection.

At home, you can improve security by updating your router regularly, changing default passwords, and creating a separate guest network for visitors. These steps help protect your data and keep your information private, whether you’re at home or on the go.

8. Be Careful What You Download

It bears repeating, many hackers include suspicious links or downloads in their emails to you. Be wary of downloading any content from unfamiliar sources. 

Just clicking on the “download” button could infect your computer and grant hackers access to your browser, speaker, and even your webcam. 

Exercise caution and evaluate the situation before acting.

If You’ve Been Compromised: Take Action Immediately

Being hacked or falling victim to a scam can feel overwhelming and it’s normal to feel frustrated, anxious, or even embarrassed. Many people worry they should have “known better,” but the reality is that cybercriminals are skilled at targeting anyone. The important thing is not to dwell on blame, but to act quickly. Taking immediate steps can help protect your accounts, limit potential damage, and help you regain control with confidence.

If you think your personal information or accounts may have been compromised, acting quickly can help limit the damage.

Notify the right people right away:

• Your financial advisor
• Your banks, credit cards, and other financial institutions
• Credit bureaus
• Local law enforcement, if applicable
• The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov)

Take protective steps:

• Change your passwords and make them unique for each account
• Turn on multi-factor authentication wherever possible
• Consider freezing your credit to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name
• Set up alerts on your financial accounts to catch suspicious transactions early
• Monitor all accounts carefully for unusual activity

The sooner you report a potential breach or fraudulent activity, the faster authorities and institutions can act to protect you. Quick action can make a big difference in minimizing risk and keeping your information secure.

Online Safety in the Digital Era

Internet use isn’t slowing down, it’s speeding up. With more and more businesses transitioning to online-only or online-focused operations, it’s important to stay equipped with the tools and resources to protect yourself and your information.

One way to fight cybercrime is to understand what to look out for. Steer clear of disclosing personal information to spam emails, keep your information confidential, and log into financial accounts from a private and secure location. 

Perhaps most importantly, trust your instincts. If something feels off, there’s a chance it is. Be aware and vigilant to protect yourself online for years to come.