How To Protect Yourself From Online Identity Theft

The FTC estimates that 1 out of every 8 people in the United States has been affected by Identity Theft online in the last 5 years.  Unlike common identity theft, where it is much easier to realize something is wrong (like your wallet being stolen) identity theft can leave you completely unaware until it is WAY too late.  Fortunately, at Legal-yogi, we provide both post and preventative measures.

If you think you have been the victim of internet identity theft, or if you simply want to take preemptive action to safeguard against it, the following identity theft information is essential:

·         How does Online Identity theft Happen?

·         What steps can I take to safeguard against Identity Theft?

·         How Can I Get Professional Identity Theft Help?

How does Online Identity Theft Happen?

No one is safe from ID theft.  One of the most common types of ID theft is child identity theft.   Online identity theft can happen in 3 basic ways.  First, someone can steal your computer and hack your password (easier if your computer is not password protected) and gain access to any information stored on your computer.  Second, someone can nab information you send over an unsecured transmission (often known as phishing sites), and thirdly, through the use of spyware, someone can access any information on your computer.  Now, you might be saying to yourself that you are safe, because you don’t store any information on your computer a thief could use.  The truth is computers collect all types of information where it is deeply embedded in your hard drive.  The types of files stored by your computer are passwords and logins, names and addresses, and even your credit card numbers or social security numbers.

What steps can I take to safeguard against Identity Theft?

It is easy for anyone to see that preemptive action is the best way to guard against identity theft.  There is still help available if you are a victim of online identity theft, but you are better off to prevent it from ever happening.  Here are some suggestions to help you prevent it:

1.       Secure whatever web browser you use.  Many browsers are taking steps to prevent ID theft.  There are programs available to help secure your system.  Just remember, someone hacked into the system to begin with, so your protection is only as good as the program you use and your own personal habits.

2.       Be sure your program deletes all sensitive information such as:

Deleting your history, deleting cookies, deleting your internet cache, deleting your temp files, deleting hidden and locked index.dat files, deleting recent doc lists, and making sure your recycle bin is empty.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the fact that a good identity theft company is probably your best pre-emptive tool available to prevent online identity theft.

If you are asking yourself how you can get the professional identity theft information you need, the answer is simple.  By taking a moment to fill out the no-obligation, user friendly forms available here, Legal-yogi can give you all the information you could possibly need to get the best help available anywhere.  Legal-yogi can help guide you through getting help whether you are a victim in need of professional help, need an identity theft company, or even if you are someone wanting to take proactive steps to prevent identity theft online or child identity theft.  Since all information is absolutely no obligation, there is no reason at all to wait.  Act now. Protection is at your fingertips.