| Your passwords are the easiest access you can | | | | computer itself. Keystroke logging using hardware |
| give to your identity to hackers and identity | | | | is likely to occur on public computers, e.g. at work |
| thieves on the net. To protect your identity from | | | | or in a cyber cafe. The hardware is generally |
| them you must protect your passwords online. | | | | plugged inconspicuously between the processor |
| Password protection should be an essential part of | | | | and the keyboard. |
| your security systems online to keep identity | | | | The second method is the use of software |
| theft at bay. If you cannot protect your | | | | installed on your system, which you might have |
| passwords, you have as good as handed over | | | | even installed unknowingly. Several free |
| the keys to your identity to an identity thief. | | | | applications available on the net have hidden |
| While using online services, you are in danger of | | | | spywares that lodge themselves on your system |
| being cheated of your money is passwords such | | | | when you install the application and then send |
| as those used for online payment processing | | | | across data without you being aware of it. |
| transaction are revealed to a crook. Thieves will | | | | Phishing is a different method that involves |
| then find it extremely simple to empty the | | | | trickster methods to trap you into schemes that |
| contents of any online account they gain access | | | | reveal your password and other sensitive details. |
| to before you can figure out that your security | | | | The most general way for a thief to implement |
| has been breached. Once one account has been | | | | such a method is to transmit an email that seems |
| emptied of its contents, the criminal mind turns to | | | | to come from a source that you trust (for |
| other payment processing service accounts to | | | | example a bank). This email will carry a link and |
| check if you use the same password there. | | | | request you to follow it to log in to your account |
| Keep in mind as well the other risks that are | | | | to update some crucial information. It may even |
| presented in the form of identity thieves. Once | | | | carry a warning saying somebody tried to access |
| your password protection measures are | | | | your details and that your account has been |
| breached, you may not lose just the money in | | | | frozen until you log in to unlock. This is a scheme |
| the process. Identity thieves can use your details | | | | that tries to frighten you into accessing your |
| to make online purchases with your credit card | | | | account form the link provided without |
| details, obtain loans on your account and other | | | | crosschecking the veracity of the mail. The link in |
| credit facilities as well. They may even leave your | | | | your email is generally fake and directs you to a |
| bank account and debit card untouched so that | | | | log in page from where thieves can record your |
| you do not even realize what is going on until time | | | | id and password. |
| passes and debt collectors begin haranguing you | | | | You can avoid being duped by such con-men if |
| for debt recoveries for money that you have not | | | | you are careful about public computers and |
| even seen. Your credit history too will be in a | | | | unknown emails. However, there is another means |
| sorry state by then and you may even have | | | | by which thieves may be able to gain access your |
| lawsuits pending against you. | | | | personal information and this is not in your control |
| An online identity thief can use several kinds of | | | | under any circumstances. This occurs when |
| means to access your password through your | | | | hackers gain entry into databases of websites |
| security measures. The most common ways to | | | | where you are registered. Although you can't do |
| steal passwords are phishing and keystroke | | | | anything to prevent this, you can minimize the |
| logging. | | | | damage you may incur by altering your |
| Keystroke logging requires either a software | | | | passwords often and not having the same |
| program or some hardware installed on the | | | | password on any two sites. |