Shop Safely on the Internet

Many of us go online several times a day—we might email a friend, order our groceries, download some music or share some photographs. And each time we log on, our identities are at risk. Sadly, there are people out there trying to gather enough of our personal information to create a virtual clone of who we are. They can sell this to others or use for themselves, perhaps even opening lines of credit in our names. This is why identity theft is such a hot topic.

Almost all of us take a number of steps to protect our identity in the offline world. We don’t write our PIN numbers down in obvious places, we store our passport somewhere safe, and we have important documents sent by recorded mail. But even if you have your paper trail covered, the Internet presents a whole other arena for identity thieves to operate. Fortunately, most precautions are common sense. If you want to reduce your exposure to identity theft, incorporate these steps into your regular routine.

Learn to spot phishing scams. For example, by using of fake emails and Web sites to pose as legitimate organisations, phishers trick people into divulging passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information. These counterfeit emails and Web pages are almost indistinguishable from the real thing; so be extremely cautious with online requests for important information. And remember, legitimate organisations like banks will NEVER ask you to verify personal information over the Internet.

Be cautious with email. Many phishing scams use spam email as part of their deception; so get a good security software product to reduce your exposure to misleading emails. And because email and instant messaging services aren't always secure, never use them to exchange sensitive information.

Password-protect all your computers, laptops, PDAs and phones. Use unique user names and passwords, combining letters with numbers and special characters. DON’T use the same password for every account!

Try to minimise the amount of personal or financial data on your computer. That way if your laptop or computer is stolen or hacked, you'll have less exposure to identity theft.

Use a firewall. A good firewall programme hides your computer from hackers, gives you control over all Internet traffic on your computer, and automatically blocks intruders who may try to get at sensitive data.

Buy antivirus software and update it regularly. A good virus protection tool will protect your data from viruses, Trojan horses, and other malicious code.
Never open an email or IM attachment unless you know who sent it and what's inside.

Install an antispyware programme. While a lot of spyware programmes simply monitor your Web-surfing habits, some are used for malicious purposes, including monitoring every press of the keyboard.

Your identity is an irreplaceable possession, and if someone steals it, you may find yourself dealing with a whole raft of problems. But use your head and follow the advice above and you can surf the internet safe in the knowledge that your identity is safe and secure.