Nowadays, we do almost everything online. Shop for clothes, order food, pay bills – you get the picture. And while all of these amazing new technological advances have helped make our lives easier, they’ve also made it easier for cyberthieves to steal our sensitive digital information. That’s why it’s important to take measures to protect your identity and your financial data when you’re shopping online in an environmentally impactful way.
Here are five ways you can keep your digital life safe from cyberthieves and stay environmentally friendly.
1. Encrypt Your Data
To keep your data safe from cybercriminals, you need to make sure your internet browser is secure. One way to do that is by using encryption software that scrambles any information you send over the internet. You can tell it’s working by checking to make sure there’s a “lock” icon on the status bar of your browser. That’s how you can tell your information will be safe when it’s transmitted online. Before you purchase anything or view your financial data online, make sure you see that lock. Also, make sure any sites you submit sensitive data to use encryption to send and receive data. Check the privacy policy to see how your information is going to be shared before you provide it.
2. Get Identity Theft Protection
Investing in identity theft protection is one of the smartest moves you can make when it comes to protecting your financial and personal information online. Identity theft protection is a great step to take if your phone is lost or stolen. Many identity theft protection packages come with tools like:
- SSN & credit alerts
- Fake identity monitor
- Breach notifications
- Lost wallet protection
- Dark web monitoring
- Online annual credit reports and scores
- Court records scanning
3. Automatically Monitor Your Bank Account
Most banks have systems in place that allow you to receive specialized monitoring alerts on your bank account so that if any transactions don’t align with your normal spending habits, you’ll be alerted right away. And you and your bank can take the necessary steps to recover any lost funds or prevent any further theft. You can sign up for email or text alerts for certain types of bank transactions, like online transactions over $500. Signing up for mobile banking allows you access your account from anywhere and see transaction updates in real time.
4. Consider Products from the EPEAT Registry
The EPEAT program provides independent verification of manufacturers’ claims and using the EPEAT registry, lists sustainable products from a broader range of manufacturers than any other ecolabel. The United States government, along with thousands of public and private institutions use EPEAT as part of their sustainable purchasing decisions. Consider using EPEAT to find products that are environmentally friendly and that help you secure your sensitive, private data.
5. Create Stronger, Distinctive Passwords
Minimize the damage to your digital data by creating stronger, more distinctive passwords as it can help thwart cyber thieves and keep your data safe. Using weak passwords or using the same password for multiple sites isn’t the best idea. Instead, choose a strong password with a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using passwords that might give away personal information about yourself, such as your kids’ names, your street address, names of family members, birthdates, social security numbers, phone numbers, or other personal information. Using a password manager can help you keep track of which passwords you create for every site you use.
Now that you know how easy it is to secure your digital life, you can use the above tips to determine what you need to protect yourself online. Putting the right security systems in place so that all of your sensitive information is protected from cybercriminals is the best way to protect yourself in an environmentally sustainable way.
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