As digital trends continue to grow, your digital identity expands. A digital identity is an online record of your personal information.
This could be something as simple as your email address or more delicate information like financial data. Your digital identity grows whenever you interact online, whether it’s logging into your social media account, subscribing to a newsletter, using online software like esports technology or anything else.
You must protect your digital identity from cyber threats. Here are some great tips that can assist you in protecting your identity online.
10 Tips for Protecting Your Digital Identity
Protecting your digital identity means that you protect yourself from hackers and fraud. Everything that you do online leaves a digital footprint. You can protect your digital identity using various methods and being cautious online.
1. Read the Fine Print
Social media apps will ask you to grant them permission. By doing this, you usually agree for them to track certain behaviors. Before hitting the agree button, take some time and go through the fine print and check what information you are giving them access to.
2. Store Passwords
Passwords can be stored in one place using a password manager tool. They will also assist in creating strong, unique passwords when you sign up for accounts. Each account is given a unique password by the password manager. If one password is compromised, your other accounts will still be safe.
They also offer ease of logging in as they store and automatically fill the password spaces, so you won’t need to remember every password.
3. Multiple Identities
When signing up online for things, keeping your work and personal email separate is best. Use your personal email for personal sign-ups and your work email account for official registrations. You can also consider using a third email for social media accounts.
4. Use Passphrases
Passphrases are better to use than passwords. Passphrases consist of random letters, numbers and characters, which makes them harder to guess.
Using passphrases stops your passwords from easily being predicted. Each website that you use should have a different passphrase. You can use a password management tool to keep track of these.
5. Install Anti-Virus Software
Installing anti-virus software and firewalls on all your devices, including your phone, will help to safeguard them from cyber-attacks. Ensure software on devices, including your anti-virus, is updated regularly.
Remember to protect your phone as we now use these to do banking, order food, log into social media etc.
6. Always Have Two Factor Authentication On
Two-factor authentication means that you need to verify your account twice before gaining access. This should always be on. Usually, you must enter your password and a pin sent to your mobile phone.
7. Stay Off Public WIFI’s
One of the biggest cybersecurity threats is public WIFI. Your digital footprint can be watched more easily when on a public network.
If you need to use a public network, use a VPN when connecting. Also, keep your activities to a minimum and don’t do anything that would reveal too much personal information.
8. You Can’t Trust Everyone
Social media apps have their own messaging services, but these are less secure than you may think.
There has been an increase in DM attacks where links are sent, and users become victims of phishing. Remember the golden rule of never clicking on any unknown links.
9. Keep Your Personal Data Safe
Websites often store data, and some will sell data to other parties, usually for marketing purposes. Online shopping is convenient, but don’t allow these websites to store your bank card information. Hackers may get financial information if these sites come under attack.
Look at the website’s fine print and determine how they will use your data.
10. Don’t Click on Every Link
Email scams are increasing, and it can be easier than you think to become a victim of one of these, especially if you receive an official-looking email.
For instance, if you get an email from the bank or an online store, look at the email address it comes from to make sure it is legitimate.
Scammers will create official-looking emails hoping that you will part with personal information or make payments to them.
11. Rather Use Paid Versions
The free version of an app is great for evaluating an app. However, if you use specific apps, often it is best to upgrade to the paid version.
Generally, free versions will collect personal information to improve the user experience, and some will use the information for marketing purposes.
There is an increased threat to our digital identities, and more and more users are becoming victims. Scammers and hackers can use your information for identity theft, steal money from you, commit fraud etc. You can safeguard your digital identity by using the above tips. In most cases, you must be vigilant, be wary of who you trust, use unique passphrases instead of passwords and avoid clicking on any links you can’t verify.
