Millennials and Identity Protection
Jackie here. Do Millennials neglect protecting their identities? A TransUnion survey suggests that Millennials are the age group least likely to actively protect their data. Interestingly, they are also the generation most concerned about cyber threats. How can Millennials change their habits and become more secure online? Here are a few key changes that can help enhance online security.
Don’t Check Financial Accounts on Public Wi-Fi
A large majority (84%) of Millennials (and other groups) put themselves at risk by using public Wi-Fi to access financial accounts. Public Wi-Fi is great for looking at the latest viral cat videos, but don’t use it for checking sensitive accounts. Check your bank account, credit card accounts, etc. on a secure connection. Data sent over public Wi-Fi can easily be intercepted. Consider using your data plan instead if you need to access any websites that contain sensitive information (including social networking, email, online shopping, and online banking sites).
Password Protect Your Phone
Millennials have grown up in a world where cellular phones are the norm, but a shocking 67% said they don’t bother to password protect theirs. If your phone doesn’t have a password, set one up right now. It takes just a couple of seconds to unlock and adds an important layer of security to your device.
Stop Storing Bank Info on Your Phone
Many Millennials appreciate easy access to their online accounts and too many (86%) reported storing banking information on their phones. This practice makes it easy for an identity thief or an untrustworthy friend to access your accounts should they ever get their hands on your phone – especially given the large majority of people surveyed said they didn’t have password protection enabled. I know it is a pain, but enter your bank information manually (username, password, etc.) every time you need to log in to your accounts.
What changes can you make to better protect your identity? Many of these habits apply to groups other than Millennials, so if you have similar habits, consider making some simple changes.