How to protect yourself from online credit card fraud and identity theft by using a secured VPN

By Hotspot Shield

Instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Snapchat and LINE have exceeded social media in terms of global usage. In a report by Business Insider Intelligence in January 2016, the estimated number of instant messaging users was recorded at 2.9 billion in 2015, compared to the number of social media users which was recorded at 2.4 billion. 

Secured VPN for Apple iPhone and iPad Users

The explosive growth of instant messaging is even affecting the way users spend their time online. More and more users are now connecting with each other much more through instant messaging than social media. Content such as feature articles, newsletters, and e-Books are now being shared on message threads. Even brands are now using it to converse and conduct transactions with customers.

Instant messaging is revolutionizing the way we use the Internet and communicate with each other. However, the growing usage of instant messaging apps also means more opportunities for malicious individuals to steal the identities of users, allowing them to take advantage of sensitive information such as bank account numbers and credit card transactions to gain financial advantage at the expense of the users.

Secured VPN for Apple iPhone and iPad Users

 

Ways cybercriminals can steal your identity

There are many ways cyber criminals can use instant messaging to steal your identity. In addition to spying on your account, identity thieves can also make use of spamming to lure you into clicking links to locations that contain malicious software such as spyware and keylogger. 

Phishing is another type of online fraud that is commonly used for identity theft; this type of online fraud refers to the attempted acquisition of sensitive information by luring users into believing they are accessing a trustworthy website or email.

Even official websites are not safe from identity thieves anymore because of another form of online fraud: pharming. Pharming is when a malicious individual manipulates a website’s host file or domain name so that it links to a spoof website, which then captures the unwitting victim’s personal information.

A VPN can protect you from identity theft

Protecting yourself and your instant messaging account from identity thieves and other cyber criminals doesn’t have to mean shelling out money on software or refraining from using instant messaging when it comes to bank account inquiries or credit card transactions. The simplest, most effective way of keeping identity thieves from accessing your instant messaging account is through the use of a virtual private network (VPN).

Secured VPN for Apple iPhone and iPad Users

Hotspot Shield is a free VPN. You can download it for your Windows PC, Mac, Android, or iOS device. It prevents identity thieves from accessing your instant messages and provides you a secure connection, so you don’t have to worry about unwanted access to sensitive information such as credit card transactions and bank account statements.

Benefits of using Hotspot Shield for identity theft protection
Hotspot Shield is a free-to-download VPN that allows you to surf the web anonymously.  It protects you from identity theft by creating an encrypted tunnel between your computer and its servers, so that you can send and receive instant messages while preventing identity thieves from spying on you and tracking your online activities.

Hotspot Shield also protects you by masking your actual IP address. Upon connecting to the Internet via Hotspot Shield’s encrypted tunnels, you are automatically connected to a US server, allowing you to make use of an IP address in that virtual location. This also prevents spammers, spies and hackers from monitoring your instant messaging activities and stealing your online data.

Secured VPN for Apple iPhone and iPad Users

Additionally, whenever you go online while using Hotspot Shield, your instant messages are secured and encrypted, and your personal information becomes out of reach for spies.
Even when it comes to using instant messaging while using a public Wi-Fi connection, where it is possible for anyone connected on that network to spy on your activities, Hotspot Shield secures your online session and makes your data more private.

Other benefits:

• Allows you to bypass filters and firewalls set by the network administrator in school and at work so you can unblock your favorite social media sites, such as YouTube and Facebook
• Protects you against malware attacks by notifying you if the page that you are visiting
• All of these for free

Article Source: http://blog.hotspotshield.com/2016/05/23/identity-theft-via-im-and-how-you-can-protect-yourself/

check list to prevent identity theft online

Don't Be a Victim: A Checklist for Preventing Identity Theft
By Brian Grouzos

Imagine waking up one day to find that everything you work hard for is compromised.  Your finances, your home, your family, everything is at risk.  Someone has taken your identity and it may take years to recover.  Nobody is completely protected.  This nightmare is very real and you could be next.  The FTC estimates that over 9 million people are the victims of identity theft every year.  Are you taking the steps necessary to make sure that you don't become a statistic?  Use the following checklist and protect yourself from identity theft today!

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Separate your personal identity documents

Keeping all of your personal documents and credit cards in your wallet or purse while convenient makes life easy for criminals too.  Separate your personal identity documents and only keep the essentials on you.  Limit the number of credit cards you carry and leave your check book somewhere safe.  Most importantly, never keep your PIN with your credit and debit cards and never use something like your birthday.  It's right on your driver's license.

Shred all important documents

Anything with personally identifiable information is at risk.  This can include bank statements, credit card offers, medical claims, receipts, and benefits information.  Thieves often "dumpster dive" looking for this information.  Make sure it's in pieces when they find it.

Secure your mail box

An even better option for identity thieves is to steal your mail right from the source.  Make sure your mail box is secure, never leave mail overnight if possible, and if you're on vacation have someone collect your mail daily for you.

Watch for suspicious mail activity

Sometimes identity thieves will redirect your mail to another address to gain access to your important documents.  Be aware if your mail seems lighter than normal and important bills are missing.  Check with your post office if you suspect potential fraudulent activity with your mail.

Use secure mail boxes

When sending important information or sensitive documents, use secure mail boxes like the ones provided by the post office.  Never leave important mail out in the open for someone to walk by and steal.

Be alert to phishing emails

Never give out your usernames, passwords, account numbers, or other sensitive information through suspicious websites or emails.  Verify the URL, the information in the address bar at the top of the screen, to make sure that you are on the correct site.  Look for SSL encryption by verifying your browser security icon before providing sensitive information such as credit card numbers.  You can also check for third-party security verification such as VeriSign for confirmation that your information is secure.

Create strong passwords

Identity thieves love it when you make their life easy.  Never create passwords that are easy to break such as password, password1234, your name, or other easy to guess information.  Make your password as secure as possible by adding letters, numbers, special characters, and capital letters.  An easy to use method is making an acronym of your favorite phrase, song chorus, or other easy to remember piece of information.  Your password should look something like AnTr0@2! to make it impossible to guess and hard to crack.

Beware of social networking

Make sure you protect your social networking information.  Adjust your privacy settings appropriately to prevent unknown people from accessing your information.  Leave off anything that can be used to steal your identity such as full birthday, address, phone number, and even relationships with family members.  Be careful who you let access your network as well.  Many thieves pretend they are people you know to so be cautious if something seems off.

Monitor your statements

Keep a close-eye on bank statements, medical benefits, credit cards, and your credit report for unauthorized usage.  If you notice something suspicious tell the company immediately to confirm and take action.  Hesitation may mean a larger headache since most information doesn't post immediately.  Take action right away

Close unused accounts

Make sure to close unused credit and bank accounts to prevent someone from quickly charging up your limit without you knowing.  Monitor these accounts if you insist on keeping them open to make sure there is no suspicious activity as well.

Be cautious of promotional offers

Thieves often use promotional offers to secure personally identifiable information.  Make sure if you're giving your information to someone for any reason that you fully trust them and they are who they are representing.  If the offer sounds too good to be true, it just might be.

If you feel you have been the victim of identity theft, inform your local police department.  You will also need to contact any companies involved such as credit bureaus, banks, insurance companies, etc.  If necessary, file an identity theft complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.  Visit their website for more information about protecting your identity and the steps to take if you are a victim.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Dont-Be-a-Victim:-A-Checklist-for-Preventing-Identity-Theft&id=7374382] Don't Be a Victim: A Checklist for Preventing Identity Theft