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In today’s world, we use the internet in so many interactions and purchases. Unfortunately, identify fraud through the web is also becoming increasingly common. While many cases of identity theft do occur when the victim is offline, there are still many steps you can take to increase your safety. Internet security doesn’t have to be a daunting endeavor if you follow a few simple precautions.

Shopping Online
There are, of course, risks to shopping online, but taking care of your purchases on the web can be very safe if you keep up your guard. Use common sense. If a site doesn’t feel right, do some research before sending out your personal information or find an alternative. You should also use a credit card instead of a debit card for added security.

Phish-y Sites, Secure Sites
Some sites are designed to keep you safe from identity fraud, while others do the opposite. Learn about phishing sites to identify and then avoid clicking on advertisements or site links that pose a threat to your security. When shopping, only shop on secure sites. These sites use SSL and their URL should start with https. This means that your data will be encrypted as it’s sent out over the internet.

Your Personal Information
Avoid sending personal information by email if at all possible. If you’re saving personal or important information on a computer, try to ensure that that computer isn’t used by too many people. Keep your system up-to-date by running anti-virus software and making your network secure. Finally, check, check, and check some more! Always keep an eye on your statements to make sure nothing suspicious is happening.