Jim WinsettQ: From retail and restaurant data breaches to hackers infiltrating systems to phishing emails and fraudulent links, is there any way to be sure my information is safe online?
A: The short answer is no. There is no way to completely stop hackers and scammers from getting your information, just short of not using the Internet at all. It is a risk we take to be able to have the convenience of communicating, learning, gaining information that comes with the territory.
In the last few weeks, there have been breaches from well-known retail and restaurant establishments such as PF Chang’s, and urgent pleas to change all your passwords yet again because Russian hackers allegedly stole thousands upon thousands of user names and passwords.
In our way of life today, we cannot imagine not using the Internet. As consumers we consent to shop on various websites and read the latest news headlines from our computers and social media. And although a good amount of pressure is placed on individual merchants and websites regarding data security, there is still not much that you as a consumer can do to prevent those data breaches from occurring. However, you can take steps to prevent your identity from being compromised.
BBB urges you to make identity theft protection a routine priority. To be proactive and vigilant to minimize the risk of identity theft for every member of your family be sure to: