Hack Proofing Your Identity

If you're like most people, your day includes writing checks or using a debit card at stores, using credit cards at the gas station, or using an ATM terminal to get cash. If you're among the growing numbers of Internet users, you've probably also bought a thing or two online, and might even do your banking or trade stocks online.

If more than half of the following statements are true, you are at high risk for identity theft:

• You receive at least one loan solicitation or preapproved credit offer each week.
• You usually toss preapproved credit or loan solicitations in the trash without shredding.
• You usually toss old banking or credit documents in the trash without shredding.
• Mail is delivered to you in an unlocked mailbox.
• You send mail by placing it in an unlocked mailbox.
• You carry your Social Security or Social Insurance card in your wallet.
• Your Social Security Number is printed on the health insurance card in your wallet.
• Your Social Security Number is printed on your driver's license.
• Your Social Security or driver's license number is printed on your personal checks.
• You make occasional or frequent purchases online using a credit card.
  You seldom check whether a site is "secure" before using a credit card to make an online purchase or before disclosing private data, such as your Social Security Number, to a Web site.
• You seldom read Web site privacy policies before disclosing private information.
  Your online account with your bank, health insurer, or stockbroker uses your SSN as your account number.
• Your bank doesn't require a password before allowing you to make a withdrawal in person.
• The password for your online bank account is written down in an unlocked location.
• Your ATM PIN is written down in your wallet or on the ATM card.
• You sometimes share your name, address, e-mail address, and/or phone number with Web sites.
• You don't use privacy software to remove identifying information from your computer.
• You seldom take advantage of programs designed to opt-out of information sharing.
• You haven't seen your credit report in the past year.
• Your Internet-connected computer stores private or financial information and is not protected from the Internet by both a firewall and antivirus software.

Contents

Foreword

Chapter 1 Identity Theft: Are You At Risk?

Chapter 2 Protecting Your Hard Drive

Chapter 3 Keeping Your E-mail Private

Chapter 4 Self Defense on the Web

Chapter 5 Connecting to the Internet Safely

Chapter 6 Are Your Kids Putting You at Risk?

Chapter 7 If You Become a Victim

Chapter 8 Configuring Your Browser and Firewall