Bad Habits That Make Your Information Easily Accessible

Criminals count on bad habits to make a living. Surprisingly, it’s not their bad habits that get them access to your information, but your own bad habits that make it so easy for them.

In most cases of identity theft the criminals are able to easily obtain personal information because of lazy security habits on the part of the victim. Criminologists advise that in order to keep your information secure you need to break these bad security habits. Even better yet, register for some information assurance training.

Improper disposal of personal documents

Many victims of identity theft and fraud are guilty of not getting rid of personal documents such as bank statements, credit card statements and other sensitive items properly. Unless the documents are shredded or burned they are easily removed from trash cans and recycling bins.

Thieves use the information to apply for and obtain credit cards and other accounts using your personal information. Make it as difficult as possible for identity thieves by shredding or using a secure document disposal service.

Using the same passwords for everything

It can be difficult to remember dozens of different passwords, but if the same username and password are used for multiple accounts, it’s far easier for identity theft to occur. Once a thief has the login information used to access bank accounts, email and other sensitive information, they have access to an entire life.

The first step to keeping personal information safe online is to choose strong passwords that contain a mix of numbers and letters. Avoid using easily recognizable phrases or series of numbers such as ‘1234’. If keeping up with several passwords seems too difficult, consider using a web-based password management service such as LastPass or CyberArk to keep login information in one secure place.

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Not using caution when surfing the web

Many thieves obtain personal information from websites or email. Phishing schemes, data pharming and the use of keyloggers are all common methods used by data thieves. Spyware and malware are more than just a nuisance; they compromise personal information and allow thieves access to everything from social media accounts to bank accounts. Use security software to help prevent information being obtained through these methods.

Using public computers to access personal account information is another big security risk. There is no way to tell if the computer has spyware on it that can capture login information or other sensitive data. Public computers, such as those in libraries, should be kept for general use, not for paying bills or checking bank accounts.

Using Wi-Fi

Using Wi-Fi is a convenient way to access information, especially while away from home, but it is easily hacked by criminals and not a safe option for checking sensitive accounts such as bank accounts while in public. Stick to checking financial accounts and email while using home internet access to make it more difficult for thieves to obtain access to personal information.

Sharing too much information

A surprising number of people put sensitive personal information on display in their social media profiles. Telephone numbers, employer information and even home addresses can be seen in many profiles on sites such as Facebook. The more information a potential identity thief has access to, the easier it is for them to use an identity to commit theft or fraud.

Many people share passwords or even PIN numbers with friends or family, but this is a very bad idea. They may inadvertently share the information with someone else, or even use the information to access personal details.

Leaving your smartphone lying around

Today’s smartphone users keep a lot of data on their phones. Many people keep email apps and social media apps open and are logged in at all times. While this is convenient for the phone’s owner, it’s also very convenient for identity thieves if the phone is lost or stolen.

Breaking a few bad habits now can mean keeping your personal information safe in the future.

  Dee Fletcher

About the Author:

Dee Fletcher is a freelancer and ghost writer, and also enjoys guest blogging. She writes mostly about current trends or events in various industries, but also writes advice and how to articles. She works from her home in Southern California and loves to visit the beach as often as she can.