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Protect Your
Digital Identity
What Your Digital Identity May Include
Data Attributes
Information traditionally used to identify oneself now available online
- Username and passwords for online accounts
- Place/date of birth
- Home address
- Family members
- Social Security number
- Driver’s license or passport numbers
- Eye color
- Credit card numbers
- Medical history
- Make/model of your car
Third-Party Data
Information available online due to third parties
- Degrees and diplomas
- Credit scores
- Employment history
- Criminal record
Online Actions/Activities
Information voluntarily shared online or by one’s online activities
- Social media profile information
- Online searches
- Online purchases and bank transactions
- Posts/photos shared on social media channels
- Group affiliations
- Apps downloaded
Tips To Help Protect Your Data Online
Use multifactor authentication whenever available, including for your email account. This means use more than one method to verify who you are (password + one-time passcode; password + fingerprint). Your email account is often utilized for recovery of compromised accounts, so it is imperative that you protect it against cyber criminals. Other tips to protect your digital identity include:
- Avoid public Wi-Fi. Consider using a VPN to encrypt.
- Create strong passwords and a unique password for every account.
- Don’t post personal information on social media or public sites.
- Don’t geotag photos/videos.
- Monitor your credit report and financial accounts for unexpected activity.
- Install and update security patches and software.
- Avoid public charging stations.
- Update your operating systems, browsers and apps.
- Read Terms and Conditions before downloading apps or joining social media channels. Search for key phrases in the text like “marketing,” “control,” “waive” or “opt-out.” Some of these phrases can lead to key insights on how the company plans to collect and use your information or can identify ways that you can update your personal privacy settings to limit what information is shared.