Best Practices for Keeping Your Digital Assets Safe From Thieves

Safeguarding your Digital Assets and professional information is no different than securing your house or automobile in an online and mobile world. Security may be as simple as locking the doors or as complex as deploying sensors and alarms.

Whatever you do, don't share your personal information

Step one is easy. Stop giving it away. Don't provide your Social Security number, date of birth, or mother's maiden name to anyone unless you're sure you need to and they're reputable.

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Be especially careful about giving out your personal information in response to unsolicited phone calls, emails, or text messages. Scammers may pose as representatives from banks, credit card companies, or other legitimate businesses and try to get you to reveal sensitive information.

They may also promise phony prizes or threaten you with legal action if you don't comply.Remember: Legitimate organizations will never ask for your personal information via email or text message.

Keep your Computer Protected

Another critical step is keeping your computer protected. Install a good antivirus program and make sure it's up-to-date.Choose strong passwords and change them often. Don't use the same password at more than one site.Be suspicious of any unsolicited emails or attachments, even if they appear to come from people you know. Many computer viruses are spread through infected email attachments.And remember to log out of websites when you're finished using them. Otherwise, someone could access your account if you left your computer unattended.

Protect Your Mobile Devices

Mobile devices can also be susceptible to attack, so it's essential to take steps to protect them as well. Set a password on your phone, and don't save sensitive information like passwords or account numbers on it.Install antivirus software on your phone and tablet and keep them up-to-date. Be careful about what apps you download and where you surf the web.

And, like your computer, be suspicious of unsolicited emails and attachments, even if they appear to come from people you know.Taking these simple precautions can help protect yourself from online scams and identity theft. Safeguarding your personal information is essential in today's online world. Follow these simple steps to protect yourself from scammers and identity thieves.

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Take time to assess your security and privacy settings.

• Make sure your phone's lock screen automatically activates and that you must input a password to unlock it.
• Install effective antivirus software on your computer and update it regularly.
• Use different passwords for different sites.
• Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, even if they appear to come from people you know.
• Don't save sensitive information like passwords or account numbers on your mobile device.
• Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized charges.

If you're ever the victim of identity theft, don't hesitate to report it. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the nation's consumer protection agency and can help you recover from identity theft.