Identity Fraud: How to Protect Your Identity Data, Accounts, and Money During the Coronavirus Crises?

Protect your identity data: Since the advent of coronavirus crises, we have build up a habit of doing everything online. Online payments and transactions mean sharing your data online with each other and the organization.

During the process, there is always a chance that you are being watched by some bad guys. Personally, identifiable information is the main component of internet crime.

After the information is in the hands of the hackers, they can do anything with it, and an individual or organization might take a lot of time to recover and investigate the loss.

Therefore, to prevent such a big loss, it is important you learn how to protect identity data. Here’s what you need to know about it.

Read: Best Internet Security Software

How does the theft work?

With the preceding time, the nexus of cybercrime has been reported to have grown by $1.5 trillion. In 2019, there were a maximum number of cybercrimes.

Many online markets provide a private forum for cybercriminals and fraudsters that is user-friendly and allow easy selling and purchasing of the stolen data.

Most of the criminal activities take place on social media and messaging sites. The industry is unstoppable, and even law enforcement has been failed to stop it and fight.

The personal data includes all under, baking details, e-mail account login, insurance details, and many more. The industry works similarly to any other by the force of supply and demand.

The following attacker’s attack through the following way:
  • Phishing: this type of attack steals the details by tricking the users into downloading keylogging and info-stealing malware. Though it is commonly done through e-mails, the web is also used sometimes, and even phone.
The attack caused major damage to many people last year.
  • Malicious Mobile apps: they disguise users by appearing as legitimate software.
  • Eavesdropping on social media: sharing of innocuous information, such as pet names, birth dates, can help the fraudsters to have access to your account.
  • Public Wi-Fi eavesdropping: public Wi-Fi is a major spot for fraudsters to find prey. They can easily have access to your personal information and use it further.
  • Dumpster diving and shoulder surfing: these are one of the oldest ways that are used even today.
  • Stealing of devices: those who forget their devices in public or whose devices get stolen in public places have a higher chance of losing their data.
  • Attack on the organization you deal with: this is something that is not in your hands. Once the organization has been attacked, the stored data is in the hands of hackers.
Challenges of coronavirus crises

The hackers are using coronavirus crises as a chance to attack people. Since it has started, they are successfully stealing sensitive data of several people. They appear through e-mails that claim the information on vaccines.

The mails appear to be sent from an authorized institution and ask for personal details, and once you enter your details, they land in the hands of hackers, and they misuse them.

Some fraudsters might try to sell non-existent medical products, such as surgical masks.

What do cybercriminals do with the identity data?

Your data can be used to perform the following tasks:

  • It is used with the same accounts that have the same log-ins.
  • They will drain the funds from your bank account.
  • Open the bank accounts based on those details.
  • After hijacking your account, it is easy for fraudsters to buy luxurious items, such as television, watches, etc. They take help from E-tailers for this.
  • The data is used to get the refund of the taxes on your behalf.
  • Another use of the data is made for getting assistance through medical insurances.
Learn how to protect your identity data.

The good news among all the dangers is that there is still a chance to keep your data protected if you follow our tips:

  • Use long-length passwords and password manager.
  • Use two-factor authentication before login all the accounts.
  • The moment you realize something with your card, block it immediately.
  • Try not to use public wi-fi and in case use it, use a VPN.
  • If you get information from your provider about the breach of data, immediately change the password.
  • Use official app stores for downloading apps.
  • Regularly check the activities of your bank account and credit card.
Other ways to protect your identity data
  • Dark web personal data manager– it acts as a checker that informs you the moment it sees your personal information.
  • Credit card checker– it keeps a check on the activities of your card.
  • E-mail checker– you will be informed if your e-mail is up for sale on the dark web.
  • Password checker– it will do the same as what e-mail checker will do.
Concluding words

All in all, Trend Micro Wi-Fi protection will give you protection the moment you will be about to use public Wi-Fi. Its task is to inform you when the Wi-Fi connection is not secured and keeps your details safe.

It’s time to be vigilant and protect your identity data while using digital platforms for any activity.