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Protecting Your Identity & Private Information Thumbnail

Protecting Your Identity & Private Information

In 2022 alone, the Federal Trade Commission received over two million fraud reports related to the misuse of personal data.1 

Identity theft is the top reported concern, and and can happen in a number of ways: in-person, online, through email, or over the phone.



Spring is one of the most active times for identity theft and targeted phishing attacks. Consider taking some time this month to help protect your identity and sensitive information online and in-person. 

Here are a few tips to get you started:


Tip #1:

Don’t Assume It Won't Happen To You

No matter how careful you are with your personal information, never assume that you are immune to identity theft. According to a recent report, nearly 33% of Americans have experienced at least one identity theft attempt in their lives.2 That figure only includes the cases of identity theft that were properly reported. There could be other cases that were either never reported or never even discovered. 

There is so much data in today’s world that it’s impossible to keep yourself completely safe, but by understanding the risk of fraud, you can grasp how important it is to follow these and other cybersecurity tips. 

Learn More About Open Window's free Secure Recycling Here.


Tip #2:

Use a VPN When Using Wi-Fi to Increase Data Protection

A virtual private network (or VPN) can help keep you safe when you’re browsing the web on Wi-Fi. A VPN creates an encrypted connection between your computer and the VPN server, meaning that all your internet usage is routed through this connection. Most VPN servers actually have multiple layers of encryption to help keep you and your information safe. Signing up for a VPN is relatively easy and you can set one up on both your mobile device and your computer. Consider these comprehensive VPN instructions

VPNs also mask your IP address (which indicates where you are located and provides information about your computer) and personal information. 


Tip #3:

Don’t Share Your Passwords or Use the Same Password for Multiple Sites

Hopefully, this tip is common sense, but don’t share your passwords with others, especially people you don’t know. If you do need to share your password, use a password management site like Keeper or LastPass that allows you to share a record with someone without showing them the actual password.

In addition to not sharing your password with others, don’t use the same password for multiple sites, especially if it contains identifying information such as your address, children’s names or pet names, etc. 

Consider the time it takes a hacker to decode, or brute force, your password:

A strong password is long, contains a mix of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols, doesn't have ties to your personal information, and doesn't contain dictionary words.


Tip #4:

Sign Up for 2-Factor Authentication

In addition to creating a strong password, always sign up for two-factor authentication when possible. Two-factor authentication (or 2FA) is an extra layer of protection for your login info. It usually requires you to sign in with your password and then use a second method to verify it’s you. For example, both Google and Apple can send a unique code to your phone number to confirm it’s really you trying to sign in. 


Tip #5:

Be Careful About How Much Personal Information You Share on Social Media

In today’s world of posting everything from pictures of your loved ones to what you had for lunch on social media, it’s important to be aware of what personal information you are sharing online. Hackers can easily get information from your Facebook or Instagram profile and use it to hack into your other accounts. Never share your address, phone number, photos of personal IDs (passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.) or full date of birth on social media.


What if they still succeed?

For more on what else you can do to protect yourself, including what to do if you're a victim of identity theft, continue reading our Identity Theft Protection article here.

We live in a very connected world, and it’s more important than ever to protect your information and your family’s information. Staying safe online and practicing these tips will help prevent you from falling victim to increasing identity theft scams.


  1. https://www.ftc.gov/reports/consumer-sentinel-network-data-book-2022
  2. https://identitytheft.org/statistics/