Cyber identity theft is a very real concern but it is really not that difficult
. Knowledge is the best defence against cyber attacks. Once you start to use safe tactics online it will become second nature to you.
With the rising cost of gasoline many people are doing their shopping at home online. Shopping in stores takes a certain security mind set but so does shopping at home on the internet. There is an old saying "follow the money" Scammers take that to heart.
When you indulge in online shopping you are relived from the stress of standing in line and dealing with other rude customers. Sometimes the employees are not in a great mood either. A person can stay in the comfort of their own home and accomplish shopping with just a few clicks of the mouse.
The best way to deter thieves is through proper education. Make sure that your firewall is current and up to date. It is the best way to protect your computer from the outside world. A properly maintained firewall will filter data from the outside world.
A lot of people use one password for everything. It is best to have a different password for every account but it is strongly recommended to have a separate password for online banking and anything else that may involve money.
E-mails are another area where they are able to get in. You should never open an e-mail unless you are familiar with the person that sent it. Banks and other financial institutions will never ask for login info through an e-mail.
There are also activities that you can do with children and other family members that will allow you to supervise their use of the internet. If this is not possible to monitor them on a one on one basis you can monitor activity on the net later. The sites that they like to visit online such as gaming or chat sites. It is important to know if they actually know the people that they come in contact with.
This will help you to set limits on their computer use. The sites that they visit should be age appropriate of course. It is not necessary to scare but instill in them a sense of awareness when they are on the net. This includes sites they are allowed to visit also.