How do I approach my Digital Security?
Growing up I really worried about stolen items like jewelry, a bike but in my mind, it was a burglar in a mask that came and stole something from me. As I have hit my 30’s things have changed a lot and what I find that holds value when talking about stolen property. I don’t care much for the bike or the jewelry but my information is a Digital Security that I proudly protect and means so much more in this modern age.
Everything we do around us uses technology to track and keep details of you like a profile. These tools help paint a better picture of their customers/consumers. This helps companies help organizations when tailoring promotions or creating a target for different demographics. It would make sense that after a few weeks of your information being used you usually receive mail from other vendors about offers that are similar. This a risky way of having someone sell you a false product or scammers trying to gain more access to your information. So what did I do?
The truth is that I once had my banking information taken from me and the person got away using $1,499.00 worth of items. I was stressed because I only had enough money to get me through the summer. This was the worst thing that could have happened during that time. I made calls to the bank informing them of bills that I had to pay and the stress I had trying to figure out when this mess would me have taken care of. The bank assured me that everything would be okay that if I didn’t have the money, I could always take out a loan with no interest-free which I thought was nice that my bank trusted me to cover my half. Later in the mouth, the case was closed I was refunded all of the money that was taken from me and my credit was not affected.
WHAT DID I LEARN?
I’m more aware that my information can be easy access, for example, the website Whitepages
While using Whitepages I was able to find my name and the address that I live in in a matter of 30 seconds. You could imagine how shocked I was since I would consider myself very conservative and that I don’t post on any platforms due to consequences. I’m always reminded that I am never safe from becoming a victim in this digital age. So I practice what I know best:
I do not share my SSN over the phone unless they have identified who I am and whether I am the account holder.
I read in new ways (Protecting Your Digital Life in 9 Easy Steps) hackers are stealing information so that I can stay ahead of the new trends.
Always stay skeptical about the information that I read and share with the platforms that I use.
I live by these three rules and have done very well in keeping my information safe. I honestly feel that you have to be consistent in the way you secure your account and information and who you give it to and how they safeguard your items.
