In today’s technologically convenient world, sometimes we tend to sacrifice security in lieu of simplicity and speed. We are all guilty of doing it, and we tend to get away with it so we see no harm. The reality of it is Identity Fraud is growing at an astounding rate, and it is due to our daily conveniences that leave the door open for cyber thieves.

Let’s take a look at the top 5 ways that consumers sacrifice security for convenience, and how to correct these behaviors.

• Repeating Passwords- It is much easier to remember a single password, rather than use a different password for each of your logins. However, using a single password is dangerous because if a hacker gets a hold of it, they can now access all your accounts. It is best to have numerous passwords.
• Public Wi-Fi Transactions – Wi-Fi, while a great service and extremely helpful, is the majority of the time not secure. It is estimated that as much as 80% of public Wi-Fi hotspots are not secure. As a general rule of thumb, do not use public Wi-Fi involving purchases and financial transactions.
• Phishing Emails – We all know the “10 unbelievably easy ways to make money” emails that get randomly sent to our email accounts. However, many of these are more than just junk emails. Many contain malware and spyware, and can install harmful programs that can be used to attain your information. Do not open these emails! These include emails from falsified companies trying to look like those you use including companies such as Ebay, Target and other well know companies and brands. Make sure these emails are truly from these companies before you click through any of them or provide any personal information. The “real” companies will never ask you to provide your personal information before allowing you to sign into your account.
• Overactive Social Accounts – Social media accounts are a fantastic way to stay in contact with friends and family, however over-sharing and unwise sharing can cause issues. For example, posting a “Selfie” with your first paycheck at a new job might seem like an innocent way to celebrate. However, information can be taken from that photo and used to steal your information. It is best to think of social media as just that, a very social space. Only post information that you feel comfortable with everyone seeing.
• Mobile Security – We use our mobile devices for so much more than just phone calls now. Phones have become small extensions of us, linking us to everything from social media and banking sites to personal emails at all times. Not having a password on your phone allows anyone to pick it up and get a glimpse into your information.   A quick internet search on how to lock your phone should provide a quick answer on how to set up a lock.