While the internet can be a wonderful place, it can turn into the bane of your existence if you’re not careful. There are a lot of possibilities that can occur, such as financial losses, loss of essential data, and even losing your identity in some cases!
Today, I’ll keep my focus on how you can keep your identity safe on the internet, so make sure you read this article thoroughly and follow all the steps, so that you don’t leave yourself in a vulnerable state.
Keep reading to find out more!
Choose a Secure Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Your ISP has a lot to do with how safe you are while you use the internet. Some ISPs lay a lot of emphasis on security and leave no room for compromise.
For instance, Xfinity Internet is known for its Advanced xFi system, which includes integrated security features that keep you safe while you are on the internet, including your identity as well. You can learn more about its security features if you reach out to Xfinity Customer Support.
Therefore, it is necessary that you do your research and pick out the best internet service provider that pays a lot of attention to security. This way, you can have some peace of mind while you use the internet.
However, there are some practices that you are supposed to do on your own, too, and we’ll explore some of those practices in the following sections.
Create Strong Passwords for Your Accounts
Your password should be the sort that no one in the world would be able to guess, which is why you have to be creative with it (but not too creative that you end up forgetting it).
You should use different combinations including upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and even symbols, making your passwords as unique as possible.
Also, keep in mind that you should never use the same password for multiple accounts, because if someone gains access to one account, they would automatically have access to other accounts as well. Therefore, it is necessary that you set a unique password for every account that you use.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-Factor Authentication adds a layer of security to your accounts, making them more secure than they ever were.
The platform prompts you for a One-Time Password (OTP), and you can’t log in until you enter that password. So, if anyone does get access to your credentials, they won’t be able to use the credentials unless they have the OTP as well.
It is important to remember that you should never share your OTP with anyone, no matter what, even if you trust them.
Think of the OTP as something sacred, since it is the only gateway between you and your essential data. You can’t give a hacker access through that gate, which is why it is very important that you don’t give your OTP to anyone, no matter what they tell you.
Make Sure Your Internet Service Is Secure
You should only connect to the internet if you trust the source.
For instance, you can trust the internet service at your home or a friend’s home. However, you shouldn’t trust a public Wi-Fi network at all, since it doesn’t follow the security protocols that you need. If you really need to connect to a public network, then you should take the necessary measures to keep yourself safe as you do.
For instance, you should ensure that you connect to a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which masks your identity and keeps you safe by changing your IP Address. You can look for similar things to do so that you keep yourself as secure as possible.
Be Mindful of Any Online Suspicious Activity
There’s only one thing you need when you’re connected to the internet, and that is constant vigilance.
If you have a sharp observation, then you can easily distinguish between what is legitimate and what isn’t. Don’t click on suspicious links, and don’t open emails that you get from strangers. This way, you can save yourself from potential phishing scams where someone gains access to your accounts.
Remember not to overshare on social media, since you never know if you will unintentionally give away any essential information. You should monitor your credit score regularly so that you don’t see any fluctuations.
This way, you can see whether there was any sign of fraudulent activity on your bank account.
This concludes everything that you should do to protect your identity while you use the internet. However, it all comes down to constant vigilance so that you can keep yourself safe on the internet. Just have the observation of a hawk, and you are good to go.
