How to avoid identity theft

What's in a name? Even thousands of dollars. That's the word from the authorities in law enforcement who say that Americans lose millions to identity theft each year.

The term "identity theft" refers to a crime in which someone steals your social security number or other private information. The criminal then uses this information to bill you for products or services on your credit card or simply steal money from your bank account. Thieves often operate online, making it even more important to take precautions when surfing the Web.

A new book titled "Geeks safety and privacy of calls: Corrections 5 minutes" (Wiley, $ 14.95) can help you protect your identity. It offers expert advice on the safety of your computer and simple step by step explanations on topics ranging from stop viruses and spyware to protect your data. The book explains that these tips and others in detail:

Encrypting data on the computer

If your computer statements, credit card numbers, financial documents, the names and addresses of friends and family or other private information, encryption software is needed.

SSNs

Never use give your social security number as a connection to a website and not your social security number, if a request for spam.

To prevent automated registrations

Some sites offer to save your username and password, so that you can avoid the hassle of logging in over and over again. However, the storage of this information, it may be easier for a thief to steal your identity.

Always log

Before leaving an Internet account (online banking, bill payment, etc.), be sure to click "Sign Out" button or the "unsubscribe". Records on the site and prevent someone. In the Back button on your web browser intrusion into your account

Avoid credit card "AutoSave"

Most e-commerce sites, can store credit card numbers in their databases to perform faster in future transactions. Unfortunately, these databases are often targeted by pirates.