Tag Archives: identity theft

Playing it safe enough online?

Today, the World Wide Web proves to be probably the most significant resource available. It has opened doors to communicate with people all across the world, share and receive knowledge from others, and find endless resources on any topic we can imagine. Despite all the wonderful resources the internet has provided us with, a tool this powerful also comes with some undesirable aspects. As most of us use the internet daily for multiple purposes, it is important to know what puts us at risk, and what actions to take to both protect our identities and secure our computers.

Protect yourself first, avoid identity theft!

  • Protect your passwords completely, make sure they are strong and uncommon, and use multiple passwords for different accounts. Try using PasswordVault, a program that will secure all your passwords and pin numbers for quick, convenient access. This program is free for UIS students, faculty or staff, and can be downloaded from the UIS Webstore.
  • Treat everyone on the internet as though they are a stranger, because they are. Be wary of everyone you meet and everything you read.
  • Any bank, credit card company, PayPal account, etc., will never ask for account or personal information via an email, so never distribute social security numbers, phone numbers, birthdays, etc.
  • If using public Wi-Fi, do not enter any passwords or account information on the public network. This information can be found by others who may be looking for it.

Secure your computer

  • Use an Internet firewall, up-to-date antivirus software, up-to-date antispyware software, and regularly update browsers and operating systems. These are the best practices to defend against the millions of viruses lurking the web.
  • Never open links or files from unknown sources, they may be infected.
  • Back up your work. If something were to happen to a file, or several files, it is important that you have them copied to an additional location.
  • Be cautious with file-sharing. In addition to many legal issues, many of the files that are shared may be infected with spyware and other malicious material.

Be sure to follow these key practices and exercise caution when using the internet for daily tasks. If you have any questions about internet safety or need assistance in choosing the correct programs, feel free to contact us!