As we celebrate Identity Management Day today, it’s the perfect time to think about the importance of protecting your online identity. Your online identity is your key to unlocking a world of possibilities and resources – protecting it is no longer optional, but rather, essential.
Unfortunately, identity theft is a growing concern, forcing millions of people around the world to confront the potentially devastating consequences every year. By stealing information such as Social Insurance Numbers, birthdates, and passwords, hackers gain access to your email, bank accounts, and other critical aspects of your life. They can then use this information to make unauthorized transactions, apply for loans or credit cards in your name, or even extort you with your personal details.
To avoid these risks and ensure your online safety, it’s important to regularly monitor and protect your digital identity.
Steps to Safely Secure Your Digital Identity
In today’s digital world, your online identity is as important as your offline one and you need to protect your personal information, accounts, and devices from hackers, scammers, and identity thieves. Here are some steps to safely secure your digital identity:
Use strong passwords and change them regularly. Avoid using common or easy-to-guess passwords like your name, birthday, or “123456”. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, and make them different for each account. You can also use a password manager to generate and store your passwords securely.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code or a device confirmation in addition to your password when you log in to your accounts. Activate 2FA in your ID Assist account by going to “Account & Security Settings” and opting in to receive codes by text. You can also find out which email, social media, banking, and other online services support 2FA, and instructions to activate it, by visiting the 2FA Directory.
Be careful about what you share online. Don’t post sensitive information like your address, phone number, or financial details on public platforms. Also, don’t click on suspicious links or attachments in emails or messages, as they may contain malware or phishing attempts. And always verify the source and the content before opening or downloading anything.
Update your software and antivirus regularly. Keeping your devices and applications up to date can help prevent security breaches and fix any vulnerabilities. You should also install a reputable antivirus program and scan your devices regularly for any threats.
Monitor your online accounts. Regularly review your financial statements and digital accounts to ensure that there’s no unusual or suspicious activity. By checking your transactions and balances, you can spot any unusual or suspicious activity and report it to your bank or service provider as soon as possible.
This Identity Management Day we encourage you to take some time to review your online security so you can reduce your risk of identity theft and fraud and enjoy a safer online experience. There has never been a better time to secure the very essence of who you are online and off.