Identity Management Day is an online privacy awareness event sponsored by two nonprofits, the Identity Defined Security Alliance and the National Cyber Security Alliance. In support of this year’s campaign, we’re sharing easy ways to level up your privacy habits, such as using two-factor authentication and deleting apps you don’t use.
Ready for some spring cleaning — of your digital life? On April 11, Identity Management Day provides the perfect opportunity for tidying things up online.
Sponsored by two nonprofit groups, the Identity Defined Security Alliance and the National Cyber Security Alliance, Identity Management Day is all about inspiring consumers and business leaders to step up their privacy practices.
That aligns with our mission here at Allstate Identity Protection. In support of this year’s event, we’re sharing five things you can do today to strengthen your digital defenses.
Join us by checking a few things off your privacy to-do list — and bonus points for encouraging friends and colleagues to do the same.
Let’s work together to #BeIdentitySmart!
Set strong passwords — and use multi-factor authentication
Secure passwords are key to staying safe online.
You probably already know that it’s not a good idea to recycle existing passwords, or to use easy-to-guess personal details, like your maiden name or birthday.
Good privacy hygiene is more important than ever. According to Verizon's 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report, stolen credential attacks are one of the top tactics fraudsters use to access accounts that don't belong to them. In fact, reports of stolen credentials have increased by almost 30 percent since 2017.
When it comes to setting strong passwords, we advise aiming for something long, complicated, and totally unique. The easiest way to accomplish this is with a password manager.
Whenever possible, it’s smart to also use multi-factor authentication.
That way you’ll be protected by a password and an additional verification method, such as biometrics or a one-time code sent to your smartphone or email. The second layer of protection makes it that much harder for a criminal to pose as you — and that’s a very good thing.
Update your software
Software updates help your devices run more smoothly and improve user experience. Perhaps most importantly, they also fix known security flaws.
Unfortunately, out-of-date software may contain vulnerabilities that criminals can manipulate, leaving you open to cyberattacks and malware infection.
When your devices ping you about security updates, install them right away — or set up automatic updates. This goes for any device that connects to the internet: computers, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and more.
Be wary of emerging threats and scams
According to Javelin's research, 15 million people fell victim to identity fraud scams in 2022, with criminals vacuuming up $24 billion in losses.
Being aware of the rise in scams — and maintaining a healthy skepticism — is the first step to protecting yourself.
It’s also smart to stay vigilant for signs of phishing, such as:
Blurry images or logos
Frequent typos
Urgent calls for action (“Click now, or your account may be deleted”)
Misspelled email addresses
Misleading URLs (hover your mouse over the link to see its true destination)
Requests for sending funds via wire transfer
Be mindful on social media
We’ve written before about how little shares can equal big reveals.
Take a few minutes to consider what you’ve shared on social media and how it may affect the security of your identity.
When personal information becomes publicly available, it can be used by criminals to guess your passwords, craft highly targeted phishing attacks, or simply figure out when you’re not at home.
Sometimes it’s better to say less and share later — like, say, after you’ve returned from a vacation.
Delete any apps you’re not using
Each time you download an app, you may be giving away more of your personal information than you realize.
Many apps gather sensitive data, such as payment information. Some capture your location and other details — often without your explicit permission. Those details may be buried in a lengthy privacy policy.
From there, the app developers may share your data with third parties, such as advertisers or payment processors, either for profit or to improve user experience. Over time, this all adds to your digital footprint.
Here’s one reason why that’s problematic: whenever an app, site, or advertiser who is storing your data is breached, your information can wind up exposed, which can lead to identity theft.
That’s why it’s a good idea to delete apps you don’t actively use. Or, if you use an online service infrequently, consider deleting the app and using the browser version instead.
Help spread the word about identity security
High five for taking a few minutes to protect yourself online!
Want to do even more? Share these tips with loved ones so they can do the same, and visit the Identity Management Day event site for additional tips and resources.
Happy #IDMgmtDay2023, everybody!
