| One of the biggest security issues these days is | | | | you. In addition they now will have access to any |
| that of identity theft, people can get your vital | | | | and all personal and financial information that you |
| information like your social security number, birth | | | | had stored on the laptop. |
| date, credit card number and other critical material | | | | Next, if you have confidential information that is |
| from your home via your computer at home, | | | | printed you will want to keep it in a locked and |
| your trash or even your mailbox. There are some | | | | secure location. If you are throwing information |
| steps that you can take to safeguard against this | | | | like this away, such as banking statements, credit |
| type of theft and save yourself some costly | | | | card statements, etc you want to be sure to run |
| headaches. | | | | it through a paper shredder before discarding it to |
| The first step in your line of defense against | | | | eliminate the possibility that a thief could gain |
| identity theft is to be sure that your computer | | | | access to it. This is one of the easiest low tech |
| has the proper security software to protect it | | | | ways that identity thieves get information, it is |
| from someone accessing it remotely and stealing | | | | simple and it doesn't cost them a nickel to do it. |
| your information. There are programs written | | | | In regards to log in and password information you |
| that if given access can spider the data on your | | | | never want them anywhere that people may be |
| computer and pull out information such as | | | | able to find them. The best practice is to commit |
| passwords and financial information. If you have a | | | | them to memory and not have the stored |
| wireless network in your home, the same applies | | | | anywhere. If a thief gets hold of your log in |
| you want to make sure that the proper security | | | | information for your bank or online trading |
| protocols are in place so that your network | | | | account they could ruin your financially in a matter |
| cannot be easily hacked into and be sure that you | | | | of minutes. You should also change your |
| have a firewall installed. | | | | passwords for these accounts frequently. |
| If you own a laptop that you keep valuable | | | | Another problem area, especially if you live in an |
| information on, never leave it unattended. Even | | | | urban area is that of mailbox theft. Identity |
| though you think it may be safe to leave it inside | | | | thieves simply pull up to your mailbox and take |
| your car for example that is just leaving yourself | | | | your mail, gaining access to bank and credit card |
| open to a theft of a higher magnitude. If | | | | information as well as other personal documents. |
| someone steals your car, now do they not only | | | | It may be wise to consider a locking mail box that |
| have your means of transportation but if you | | | | only has a slot for the postman to put mail in and |
| have enough personal information on your laptop | | | | then take your outgoing mail directly to the Post |
| they may be able to assume your identity and sell | | | | Office. |
| the vehicle through a legal transaction acting as | | | | |