Protect Your Identity

With the number of computer hacking incidents and the theft of 40 million credit cards, it is important to take steps to protect your records. One of the things that you can do it to protect your password and your PIN number.

There is a program that can protect you and you can ask your bank to participate in the program, also. The program, called Phone Factor allows you to verify the PIN number and password by telephone at the time of use. In this way, only the person who knows the password and PIN number is able to proceed with the transaction.

Another way is to purchase spyware protection for your computer which alerts you if you are entering websites that are known for obtaining information from you by misleading you.  Some programs, depending how you configure it will deny access into the website, thereby protecting you. 

It is important that each one of us takes responsibility for protecting ourselves against computer hackers as it is not always a good idea to depend on institutions and the government to do this.  Mistakes can happen at any level and it is important to secure the best protection possible.

Gail Cavanaugh, of CavanaughB2B, is a provider of merchant services and products such as credit cardt terminals, PIN pads, gift cards, business financial services, wireless and virtual terminals for acceptance of credit cards.