Being in quarantine means people are doing more and more online this year, from shopping and paying bills to working and going to school. Since we’re spending so much more time online, we need to be aware of potential cybersecurity threats and take steps to prevent cybercrime, such as theft. Staying safe online is more important than ever and you can make sure your family is safe by staying vigilant, getting a VPN, getting identity theft protection, and more. Below you’ll find four ways to keep your family safe online in 2020.
1. Stay Vigilant
Staying vigilant is one of the best ways to keep your family safe online. What it means is keeping an eye on any suspicious activity while online and when it comes to your online accounts. For instance, if you get an email from your financial institution asking you to sign in and verify some information or asking for your account number, that’s a huge red flag because no bank or credit card company would ever reach out to ask you for that information. You should also check your credit and debit card statements every month to ensure there’s no sign of suspicious activity, especially if you frequently shop online.
2. Get a VPN
With more people working, going to school, and gaming online, more of us are vulnerable to cyber security threats. VPNs are virtual private networks that can allow you to play faster and get a more reliable connection. If you’re looking for the best VPN for gaming, Cox offers top-notch VPNs that can keep your loved ones safe while playing online. The best part is that there are no data caps and the company offers high compatibility with multiple devices so you can get the best connection no matter what system you’re using. Think about getting a VPN to help keep your family safe online for the foreseeable future.
3. Get Identity Theft Protection
Getting identity theft protection and monitoring can help you keep an eye out if your information is discovered on the dark web. Identity theft monitoring can send you alerts, and with some companies you can give permission to lock your credit reports instantly. You’ll instantly know if anyone applies for credit in your name. Identity theft protection can also offer insurance if someone steals money from you online, which is why it’s worth looking into. You’ll always have peace of mind knowing you and your family are safe online from potential hackers and thieves.
4. Avoid Giving Out Personal Information
Whenever possible, avoid giving out personal information online. Potential hackers and thieves are always watching online activities. So keep your personal information private, such as your SSN, your address, your phone number, or any other identifying information. When a website asks for your date of birth, name, or address, instead of giving out your real personal information, consider providing a fake name and date of birth and using a burner email address from Maildrop or 10 Minute Mail, unless, of course, it’s an official banking website or educational institution. In those cases, you’d obviously have to give your real information, but you don’t have to do that on sites that aren’t secure.
Protecting Your Family From Potential Threats
Keeping your family safe from potential online threats can seem challenging, but with the above in mind, you can take steps to secure your internet connection and prevent theft. Whether you decide to get a VPN, get identity theft protection and monitoring, limit sharing your personal information online, stay vigilant, or a combination of two or more of these methods, you’ll be able to keep your family’s data safe.
