People share 30 ways to protect your online identity from stalkers, thieves and telemarketers

The internet might look fairly innocent, but it can be a dangerous place. Even if you make efforts to be protective of your information online, it can easily fall into the wrong hands. Hackers and cyberstalkers can use your data to their own advantage, and even bully, intimidate and blackmail you online.

The majority of us are minimally educated on how to protect our identities online, and through no fault of our own – nowadays, you need no training or guidance before using the internet.

Luckily, you don’t need to take a course in cyber security to learn what to do with your data online. Just follow these 40 steps to make sure you stay as safe as possible going forward.

1. Be aware of who accesses your hardware

One of the simplest ways for hackers to access your personal information is by physically attaching a device to your computer hardware without you realizing. These devices can then be used to monitor your online activity. If you have a shared office space, stay vigilant to those around you, and ask about in-office CCTV if you don’t have it already.

2. Password-protect your computer

Another simple way to prevent physical access to your computer is to password-protect your lock screen. If you’re leaving your computer for a couple of minutes, you can “sign out” from your device, which will prevent anyone from being able to access your data without signing in. You can also set your computer to automatically sign you out after so many minutes of inactivity.

3. Log out while you’re away

If you’re going to be away from the office for a longer period of time (i.e. during your lunch break), go one step better and log your computer off entirely. Someone who’s looking to quickly gain access to your personal data will draw more attention to themselves if they have to sit and wait for your computer to switch on and load up. A black screen is, therefore, off-putting to a cyberstalker.

4. Fingerprint-protect your phone screen

Our phones are much more capable than they used to be, and we should definitely make use of their new security features. If your phone gives you the option for using your fingerprint or face recognition to turn your screen on, set it up as soon as you can. Do the same for your kids’ phones to keep them safe from physical intruders.

5. Make complex passwords

The best passwords are the hardest to remember, and contain a combination of numbers, letters and symbols. Create different passwords for different purposes, and change them as regularly as you can. Try to avoid writing a password down, especially one that gives access into your computer. If you lose that slip of paper or notebook containing your personal info, your security might be at risk.

6. Make your online calendar private

If your online calendar is accessible to all, you’re giving cyberstalkers an easy way to keep track of your planned actions. This is especially an issue if you share your scheduled activities on Facebook, such as trips you intend to take and events you plan to attend. If people beyond your inner circle can see what you’re up to, they’ll be able to track your exact whereabouts at any time.

7. Hide your info on social media

A lot of social media apps allow other users to view your basic information, like your name, birthday and workplace, without even being your friend or follower. You can adjust these settings to make your profile more secure, preventing people from being able to find you through a search of your name at all. This way, you can be certain that only your accepted friends and followers can see your info.

8. Turn off your location on photos

When posting photos to social media, you might find that the photo automatically tags your location based on your phone’s recorded data. If you don’t necessarily want your followers and friends to know your exact whereabouts, you can turn off the location suggestion and leave it blank. This will prevent strangers from being able to track your movements throughout the day.

9. Use a security software

There are a number of very good security programs that you can download for use on your computer and phone. You often have to pay a small monthly fee for the benefits these programs provide, including preventing spyware from being installed on your device and detecting potential cyberstalkers. If you don’t have much knowledge on security software, ask your trusted friends for recommendations.

10. Protect yourself from exes

If your relationship has just come to an end, no matter what terms you ended on, change your passwords to your social media and other private accounts. Your ex may use your passwords to stalk you, especially if you have unfriended them or blocked them online to prevent them from being able to see what you’re up to. Even if you don’t think your ex has access to your passwords, it’s best to stay on the safe side and change them just in case.

11. Avoid oversharing information online

There is some information that simply shouldn’t be shared online. Details about your personal health, your family, your home address, and your phone number are best only being known by your close circle. It’s common nowadays for people to post photos of their children online, but consider deeply whether you’re comfortable with the potential implications before doing it yourself.

12. Google yourself

The best way to be aware of your current online presence is to Google yourself. How much information can you find, and from how many different websites? Are you comfortable with this information being available to the public? If not, take action. Privatize anything that you don’t want showing up on search engines, or delete it altogether.

13. Report suspicious behavior

When it comes to cyberstalking, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. The majority of social media apps allow you to visit a person’s profile and report them for going against the app’s community standards, for whatever reason this may be. This person can then be investigated behind the scenes, and have their account removed if damning evidence is found. If you have definite, legitimate proof of cyberstalking, call the police.

14. Delete your maps history

If a cyberstalker is tracking your device, they may not need to do too much digging to find the information they’re looking for. Many online map apps, for example, save your previous searches and planned journeys. This means that the wrong person can easily view where you have traveled and where you plan to travel. It’s wise to delete your search history once you’ve finished using the app.

15. Shred your physical documents

Any physical piece of data that you’ve taken from online, like bank statements, bills and other personal information, should always be shredded when you’re done with it. Don’t just throw it in the trash; anyone could take your documents back out and keep them for later use. If you don’t have a shredder, tear your paper into small pieces. If you have a dog, even better – it’ll do the job for you.

16. Lock your documents away

There’s no need to be in easy reach of personal documents like your passport and birth certificate at all times. Buy a fireproof safe and lock these documents away when you don’t need them. When you’re traveling abroad, leave your passport at your hotel’s safe or purchase a money belt to allow you to carry it on your person.

17. Never give out your data

If a company contacts you asking for your sensitive data, don’t give it to them. The majority of companies that handle your private information, like banks, will never call their customers asking for any data that they already have access to. If you can’t be certain that a phone call is legitimate, ask to call the company back and don’t do so unless you’re happy that you’re not being scammed.

18. Be wary of tech support

Tech support for your laptop or computer can sometimes be your savior. But if a company calls you claiming that your computer has been hacked or has a virus, be wary. These companies will claim that they need to clean your computer to put you out of risks, when in reality, they’re the ones who pose the risk. Never give out your passwords over the phone.

19. Look out for phishing

If you’ve heard of phishing before but you’re still pretty unfamiliar with the term, it’s time you learned. Phishing is the act of mimicking another company online, and hackers and cyberstalkers can be incredibly clever at it. You might receive a legitimate-looking email from a phisher that doesn’t end up in your spam, but an easy way to check for legitimacy is to look at the email address. Compare this address to a company’s actual email address – and if in doubt, don’t give your data out.

20. Sign up for free credit reports

The best way to make sure your financial information hasn’t been leaked is to sign up to a number of online agencies to receive free credit reports. The likes of Experian and TransUnion can provide you with one free report a year, which contains all the data of your recent credit history. If something doesn’t look right with your credit score, review your credit report very closely.

21. Don’t give out your social security number

Unless you are absolutely certain of who is asking for your social security number, and their purpose of doing so, don’t give it out. Again, you can always contact the third party requesting your details in your own time after you have done your research. You won’t be penalized for staying cautious and following your gut instinct.

22. Get your computer professionally checked

If you think you might have been targeted by a hacker or cyberstalker, a computer expert will be able to run a quick diagnosis for you and let you know. You’ll have to pay for this service, but it’s definitely worth doing if you have any reason to suspect a breach of your data. An expert may be able to find evidence that you can then act on appropriately.

23. Make records of your findings

The moment you start to become suspicious of cyberstalking activity, make records of the discoveries you make. Record every detail of your incidents, including the time and date that they occurred. Don’t put this off in fear of looking “crazy” – you may end up regretting not taking action sooner.

24. Stay alert on dating sites

They might seem completely innocent to you, but dating sites offer cyberstalkers one of the easiest ways of gaining access to your personal information. Many of these sites only provide your basic details to those who contact you, but they can’t prevent you from choosing to share your contact information and other personal data. It’s wise not to give out your phone number or your last name until after you’ve met a person.

25. Set reminders to change your passwords

Unless you have an unusually logical, ordered brain, you’re unlikely to be able to work out the exact date of the last time you changed your passwords. To make things easier for yourself, set yourself a reminder on your phone to change your passwords every two months.

26. Accept suggested passwords

A number of websites are now suggesting passwords for their users in accordance to their own protection guidelines. It’s wise to take these password options when they’re presented to you, as they’re designed to be as obscure as possible to prevent potential data breaches. The passwords we think up ourselves are never quite as secure.

27. Don’t accept friend requests from strangers

The likes of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are great places to make friends and meet like-minded people, but that’s not to say that you should accept friend requests from strangers. If possible, get to know a person first, and only add them when you’re absolutely certain of their identity. If you use social media for business purposes, consider making an entirely different account with only your business information and contact details available for public viewing.

28. Block suspicious friends or followers

If you detect any suspicious activity on your social media homepages, block the person responsible. They won’t be able to access your information from then on – unless, of course, they create a new account. If someone is pestering you from multiple accounts, report them as soon as possible.

29. Make your friends aware of your data preferences

Our friends mean the best, but sometimes they can overstep invisible boundaries by posting personal information about you that you might not want online. If a friend posts a photo or video of you onto their social media account, and you’re not happy with them doing so, remove your tag and/or ask your friend to take it down. A respectful friend will listen to your concerns and act accordingly.

30. Be wary of your inner circle

In many cases of cyberstalking, the victim is actually targeted by a close “friend” or acquaintance. Of course, you want to feel that you can open up to your friends and colleagues to some extent, but don’t forget to look out for signs of trouble. Just because you’d hope to never be cyberstalked by a friend, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

31. Watch out for public Wi-Fi

When you log into public Wi-Fi, you’re sometimes given the option to select whether you’re on a network of trusted devices that are your own, or there are other unfamiliar devices on the network. Always select the second option. This reduces the risk of someone being able to access your details through the shared Wi-Fi network.

32. Don’t have personal conversations in public forums

While you might think that the forums you use are full of people just like yourself, the odd member might not be so friendly. Think before you type, and in all circumstances, never give out your personal information beyond your first name. Many people on public forums tend to use nicknames to privatize their profiles even more.

33. Don’t delete suspicious messages

If you’re being harassed online, deleting the offending messages might seem like the best way to make the problem go away. But this actually makes things more difficult if you need to present evidence of cyberstalking in the future. Deleted messages can be recovered, but it’s best to keep a log of screenshots that can be accessed immediately.

34. Opt out of sharing your data

Data security has become more important than ever this year, and websites are now obliged to ask for your permission before taking your personal information to use for marketing purposes. You can choose to opt out of sharing this data if you want to prevent your information from being spread across the internet, where it’s at more risk of falling into the wrong hands.

35. Different user, different login

If you share a device with friends or colleagues, keep your personal account safe by switching users when you’re passing the device onto others. It’s a bad idea to give someone easy access to your passwords and payment information – even to leave your emails and other notifications popping up on the screen. What may start out as unintentional data intrusion could quickly lead to trouble.

36. If you lose a device, report it

Mobile phones are especially easy to lose – which makes them easy targets for hackers and cyberstalkers. If you’ve lost your phone, even if you don’t care that much, or you don’t think you’ll ever see it again, report it missing to your phone company. They can disconnect service to your phone, preventing it from being used by a stranger.

37. Only make purchases on reputable websites

If you’re looking for a really specific item online, it can be tempting to pay for a purchase from a website you’ve never heard of. If you’re considering this, do your research before parting with your cash. Once an illegitimate website has your card details, your personal data is at risk. You can stay even more protected by paying through third-party programs, like PayPal.

38. Browse incognito

Incognito has far more uses than preventing your boss from being able to check up on your search history. When you use incognito, it disables cookies and extensions, which essentially makes you anonymous and reduces the chances of a cyberstalker or hacker being able to keep track of your activity.

39. Hide your browser data

If you have just bought a new laptop or started work on a shared office computer, the first thing you should do is configure your browser to not reveal your name, email address or other private information. This helps to protect your data both online and offline.

40. If in doubt, seek help

If you suspect you’re being cyberstalked, and you’re not sure what to do about it, the wisest thing to do is seek outside support. All kinds of stalking are illegal, and you’re well within your right to report an incident if you’re being harassed or your personal information is being used against your will.

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Article Sources:

Utica

Norton

PC Mag

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