Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the US, with more than 12 million victims last year alone. If you haven't already, you need to protect yourself.
If you're a social networker and use Google Plus or Facebook, you're more at risk to be a victim of identity theft. Safeguarding your information is a must.
Recommended Videos
First, pay for privacy on Wi-Fi. No matter where you are – a hotel, an airport, or a coffee shop – when you log onto a public Wi-Fi, hackers can gain access to your computer or even your phone. Invest in a virtual private network; privatewifi.com charges $85 a year.
Next, disable geo-tagging. This feature on your smartphone, iPad, or digital camera attaches info like where you snapped a photo to the pictures you take. The geo-tagging on-off switch varies by device, but on the iPhone go to settings, privacy, location services, and then click off.
One more thing, don't think you're safe at home. Protect your Wi-Fi at your house. Your Wi-Fi probably came with a long default password. That password is stored by your internet provider, which could become a problem if the provider's security is breached. You can change your password easily by checking your provider's website for instructions.