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We\u2019re often told what we should and shouldn\u2019t be doing, but when it comes to keeping our personal information safe, it\u2019s important to listen up. As the internet evolves and criminals (online and offline) become increasingly cunning, we need to make sure we\u2019re doing the best we can to protect our information.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve pooled together some tips and advice on keeping details secure and out of the hands of the bad guys. Have a read\u2026<\/p>\n
A lot of us will be guilty of using the same password for numerous things online, but what if that one, single password was stolen from you? We might think we\u2019re saving ourselves time by only having one password to remember, but by doing so we put ourselves at risk of fraud.<\/p>\n
Tip: Come up with 4 or 5 unique passwords containing a combination of numbers, letters and capital letters. Don\u2019t use obvious passwords like surnames or house names, but think of an anagram or acronym for your favourite place or book. For example, if your favourite book was Wind in the Willows, your password could be wiTWillowS54.<\/p>\n
Tip: Keep your passwords locked away, and consider changing your passwords for emails and other personal sites every few months.<\/p>\n
This is one of the most common portals for online criminals to capture your details. Remember, your bank or PayPal will NEVER ask you to confirm your bank details or password \u2018for security reasons\u2019 via an email, and will always address the email with your name. Be very wary of emails which don\u2019t do this, or aren\u2019t addressed from the bank or PayPal themselves. If you received one of these emails from PayPal, don\u2019t reply to it, simply forward it to spoof@paypal.com.<\/p>\n
Any financial documents, passports, national insurance details and anything with your personal details on, need to be locked away \u2013 ideally in a safe or security box!<\/p>\n
Tip: Avoid carrying around important documents when you\u2019re out of the house. It\u2019s a pain to get things like your passport replaced.<\/p>\n
Be cautious of sharing personal information. If you\u2019re asked to provide such details over the phone or online, question why they need it, what they\u2019ll do with it and how they\u2019ll safeguard it. If you have any suspicions, then simply don\u2019t give out the details and check with your provider separately.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t post absolutely everything on social media \u2013 criminals scour the internet for clues for passwords, etc. so don\u2019t post addresses, phone numbers, or other details in public forums or on social media.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t get into a habit of throwing personal documents in the bin. Always shred receipts and private documents you no longer need \u2013 anything with your personal details on \u2013identity thieves will raid bin bags to get hold of this information! <\/em><\/p>\n Be mindful of free Wi-Fi hotspots \u2013 your data is only secure when transmitted across encrypted websites. Check the security of the wireless network itself if possible, alternatively, wait until your back home on a secure network.<\/p>\n When filling out forms online or completing purchases, ensure the encryption software on your browsers is active \u2013 a lock icon signifies this and your data will be secure when inputted online.<\/p>\nWi-Fi wary<\/span><\/h2>\n
Lock it down<\/span><\/h2>\n