How To Avoid and Prevent Identity Theft

Posted on October 21, 2022

Anyone can become a victim of identity theft, but you can lessen your chances by working with JENLOR to help implement a few precautions to safeguard your personal data online.

How is Identity Theft Performed?

Numerous forms of exploits cause consumers to become victims of identity theft. These can take place when identity thieves use scam techniques such as ransomware and malware, Denial of Service attacks, data theft, or impersonation.

Online identity theft happens when users fall  for techniques like phishing and confidence scams. Phishing scams are the dishonest act of sending emails from what appear to be trustworthy businesses to trick recipients into disclosing personal information like passwords and credit card data. Confidence scams are when an identity thief creates a fake online identity to befriend or establish a personal relationship with a victim.

Identity theft is also performed when victims unknowingly download malware onto their computers or smartphones that steals their information, using wireless networks that are insecure, withdrawing cash from an ATM that has been rigged with a device that collects information, or sharing their passwords with unreliable people.

How Can You Safeguard Your Online Data?

Use Up-to-Date Security Software to Safeguard Your Computer and Smartphone

Other security measures are of little to no value if your computer or phone is infected with malicious software or a virus. Make sure you install any operating system updates and that you install malware detection software onto your devices. If you are unsure of what malware detection software you should install, JENLOR’s skilled team of IT experts are here to help.

Create Secure Passwords

Weak passwords are a target for identity thieves, particularly if you use the same password across all of your devices. You need passwords that are strong (use upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols), lengthy (more than 10 characters), and unrelated to any of your personal information (like name, age, birthdate, pet). 

JENLOR strongly encourages using two-factor authentication (2FA) and password managers. If you want to learn more about creating a secure password and the right way to set up two-factor authentication, read more about it on our blog.

JENLOR Is Here to Help

At JENLOR, our mission is to help safeguard your personal data. Contact us today for more information or any questions you might have.