Losing your online identity can be catastrophic for your finances, future job prospects, and reputation. In this blog, we’ll explain you can protect your online identity in a world that prompts you to link your credit card information to your Google account.
Protect Your Passwords
Step 1 will always be to protect your passwords. If you surrender this information, then someone will gain access to your back account, credit card account, social media accounts, or Google account.
Use different passwords for each site and change them regularly. You can use a password manager if it’s too difficult to remember all of them.
Update Your Software
Whether it’s your smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer, you need to keep your OS and software updated. They come with much needed security patches to protect you from hackers.
Beware of .exe Files
You should be cautious of downloading any file, but executable ones are particularly suspect. Even if you have a virus scanner in place, it’s better to just avoid dubious files to begin with.
Look for HTTPS
In terms of protecting your online identity, HTTPS is a good thing. It’s essentially a more secured version of HTTP that protects you from man-in-the-middle attacks. You can look for it in the address bar of your browser.
Keep Private Info Off of Public WiFi
Getting some work done at Starbucks or McDonald’s is great, but make sure you don’t surrender your online identity in the process. Many of those public WiFi networks are unprotected and vulnerable to outside threats. At the very least, don’t log into your financial accounts while on those networks. Save that for your home and work networks.
Be Cautious of Plugins
Browser plugins can really enhance your web surfing. They can also put you at risk to outside threats. The Hola VPN is a good example of what can go wrong if you blindly download a plugin for the sake of getting access to another country’s Netflix content.
To talk more about how you can protect your online identity, contact us today.
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