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Cell Phone Number Lookups >> Phone Number Privacy
The Top Five Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online
Millions of people log online every day, and without knowing it many of them are putting their own identities at risk. Online identity thieves have discovered, over the last few years, that the Internet is a great tool for making money. Once they have your information, scammer can sell your identity to an “end user” or they can be the end user themselves and open credit cards in your name, empty your bank accounts, and use your social security number to illegally enter the United States. With the Internet changing every day, how can you stop them?
It isn’t easy. That said, there are steps you can take to protect your privacy while you’re surfing the Internet. Here are the top five tips ways to safeguard yourself when logged online:
Tip #1: Look for the lock. Whenever you enter personal information, especially to buy something online or give out your phone number, look for the small lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your browser window. The lock means that the web site is protected and that your information is safe. No lock, no information – keep that as your golden rule.
Tip #2: Do not open E-mail links from your bank or online accounts. Rarely – very, very rarely – will a financial institute ask you to confirm information online. Even if the E-mail looks like it comes from Paypal.com, for example, does it really? A closer look will tell you that the E-mail comes from someone using the address paypal@aol.com, which could be registered to anyone. When you click on the link to confirm your information, you’ll be sent to a site that looks like Paypal (or whatever your financial account may be), but in reality it is just a site designed to fool you into entering your name and password. This is known as “phishing.” If you get an E-mail from a financial institution, call them back at the number listed in a phone directory to make sure it is not a fake E-mail.
Tip #3: Think twice before posting pictures and filling out profiles. Social networking sites like Facebook.com and MySpace.com are all the rage, but too often, people post way too much personal information about themselves. Predators know how to use information like your phone number to get more from you, from your PIN number to your credit card information.
Tip #4: Use strong passwords. If someone wants to hack into your account, they first passwords they’ll try are those that make sense for you – your user name, your account number, your maiden name, your birthday, etc. Use strong passwords instead. These should include letters, numbers, and (when possible) special characters. Your passwords should be as random as possible while still being memorable so you don’t have to write them down.
Tip #5: Remember to take online protection off-line. Lastly, make sure that you’re aware of how easy it is for identity thieves to get your name, phone number, and address online. They’ll often call you at home and pretend to be your bank or write you long letters about investment opportunities. Stay diligent. Your phone number is not as private as you may think.
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