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The less you help the better - dont make it easy for the bad guys

    - Dont save passwords and usernames on your computer. There are programs on software or online that can recognize your presence at select websites and will auto-complete your username and password. Most programs are already installed on your browser or are add-on programs you downloaded online. If a bank website, credit card provider site or any secure site recognize your presence and enter your username and/or password before you type them yourself then you have the software. Turn the functions off and use the password delete or clear feature. See the program help file if needed.

    - People still insist on using simple passwords or obvious words for passwords to make them easy to remember. The obvious choices are people names, birthdates, same password for email accounts, pets names, family member names, not including numbers in the password (when able.)

    - Cellphones and Cordless phones are not secure and we will not tell you how easy it is to listen in on a phone convesation from either of them are and the identity thieves know it.

    - Internet connections, browser security and online services are far more secure than using a restaurant or phone and by mail service. As long as you use the latest browser and current updates combined with a legitimate website and service (such as going to the website yourself vs a link in a scam email) the secure function during online ordering create less issues in credit card fraud than do identity theives in the rest of the world.

    - Wireless networks are gaining in popularity with no wire hassles of a wired network but most do not enable with security features on the network thereby creating a wide open system giving easy access to both your internet connection and your computer files to the same thieves looking for an easy way in from blocks away sitting in their home or car. A router or Firewall is an additionaly security feature for always on high speed internet user for a second means of securing your internet connection.

    - Spyware on your PC - There are several free programs you can use to find and erase spyware on your computer. Most spyware is related to advertising, traffic tracking and is good at chocking and crashing your computer than anything else. But there are some pieces of spyware designed to steal your computer information or track your computers whereabouts and both online and offline that can steal passwords, usernames, files, etc.

    - Shred those statements - Dont stop at just throwing away those old statements. Use a cross cut shredder that shreds paper both vertically and horizontally turning your old documents and statements into flakes.