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By taking a few simple precautions, you can ensure your identity is safe online. Here are seven effective tips for password protection online:
1. Do not use the same password for everything. There are many people who use one password for everything because they would have trouble remembering numerous passwords and can't be bothered to write them all down. If you use the same password for everything and a thief gets hold of it, he has access to every online facility you use. If a thief finds out your personal information from a program, he will almost certainly try using that password and your email address at PayPal in the hope that you used the same password there.
2. Do not use any words to be found in the dictionary as passwords. Passwords should be made up of a random-looking selection of letters and numbers. Symbols can also be included if the login software permits it. Thieves use software programs that can identify dictionary words when they are used as passwords.
3. Do not use obvious things for identity confirmation. Your date of birth, mother's maiden name, father's middle name etc are matters of record that are available to thieves. Choose a more obscure option such as your favourite colour or the name of your first school. If a programme gives you no choice and you have to provide your mother's maiden name, don't give the real one, make one up (and use a different one for each programme requiring this information) but make sure you don't forget the names you invent.
4. If an email contains a link for you to update personal information, do not click it. Any email asking you to do this will be a "phishing" email from thieves trying to get hold of your personal details. If a genuine company needs you to confirm anything, it will ask you to log into your account, it will not ask you to click through via a "special" link.
5. Never tell anyone else your password. A legitimate company will never ask you to tell them your password.
6. Use a software programme to store your passwords on your PC. The Mozilla Firefox toolbar will save your login passwords for you and enable you to log in to programmes with just one mouse click.
7. You should make sure you change your passwords frequently. This way the damage will be limited if a thief gets access to a database containing your details.
Identity fraudsters are to be found everywhere. They don't mind sorting through your rubbish in search of an old utility bill or copy of a bank statement. Compared to that dirty work, stealing your identity via a password you use on the Internet is a pleasant option. In order to protect yourself, you should make the pleasant option hard for identity thieves.