Identity protection: pros, cons, and new methods you did not know - The Leamington Observer

Identity protection: pros, cons, and new methods you did not know

Leamington Editorial 16th Jun, 2023   0

Somewhat depressingly, we live in a modern environment that is filled with online criminality. As society has moved further online, cybercriminals have upped the ante and continue to launch a series of malicious attacks that can impact the lives of so many.

To combat this alarmingly common method of attack, there are numerous ways we can protect our electronic devices and, subsequently, our identity. In fact, identity protection tools are being explored by people on a regular basis. For many, there is a real concern around identity theft, resulting in the development of cyber security apps, ID theft protection services, and a selection of other companies that aim to make a hacker’s job a lot harder.

Using an identity monitoring service is popular but has its drawbacks.

It can be a challenge monitoring all your online accounts, right? Thankfully, thanks to tried and tested services like LifeLock, people can keep on top of their various accounts due to a range of features that kick into action should one of the associated accounts be compromised. These types of services are particularly popular right now, especially as they provide several security features, such as notifying any users of any security breaches, therefore enabling them to feel in charge of their various accounts. These services do have their drawbacks, though, with the cost of them putting many people off. Overall, identity monitoring services of this type are being used by millions of people in today’s world.

Using a VPN is favoured but they’re not perfect.

Although many PlayStation gaming accounts aren’t always compromised and people can game safely and enjoy anonymous gambling at top options like a crypto casino, using a virtual private network is recommended. A VPN will essentially enable you to stay secure online and keep yourself and any online activities private. Whether you’re gaming or watching YouTube content, trusted options, such as NordVPN and SurfShark, will secure your data, protect your online privacy, mask your IP address, protect you from DDoS attacks, and a whole lot more. There are some negatives associated with using a VPN, though. For starters, they can slow your internet speed down. Additionally, many VPNs aren’t cheap or compatible with certain devices either. VPNs are also banned in certain countries, while many of the cheaper options aren’t completely secure.




New methods of attack continue to pop up.

Although the options are being employed by millions of people, there are still some basic pieces of advice to keep in mind when surfing the web. For example, avoid opening emails from strangers, always make sure your devices are updated, use strong passwords with a password manager, use two-factor authentication, don’t click on, or download any odd-looking links, avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi, always back up your data, and keep up to date with the latest methods of attack.

When looking at the final piece of advice, new and improved ways of compromising our devices are being carried out by online criminals on a regular basis. As such, it’s important to follow the variety of attacks that occur in this area.


Right now, there are a range of notable attacks being pulled off, with many of them contributing to the projected $8 trillion that will be lost to cybercrime by the end of 2023. They include attacks on cloud storage, with vulnerabilities around misconfiguration and poor access control, plus a range of other factors, all playing a part. Additionally, data breaches are growing, while smartphones are still incredibly susceptible to phishing and other security threats.

Article written by Daniel Smith

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