Why? Because without a good system in place you run the risk of someone stealing your Identity and commit fraud in your name.

Let's face it, the world is full of brilliant people who's only apparent source of satisfaction is to make the rest of us using the internet completely miserable.

Unfortunately, they do a good job of it. However, you can, and must, do everything to protect yourself and others.

Identity Theft is one of the most serious problems facing Internet users.

Identity Theft can result in untold financial and legal problems that may literally ruin your peace of mind and/or your life. Someone gaining control of your most personal details can reck havoc and result in dire consequences for you and your family.

While nothing is ever foolproof, if you follow some simple 'common sense' procedures --you can reduce your risk significantly.

Follow these simple steps and you may prevent yourself from becoming a victim of Identity Theft.

Any computer connected to the Internet can be hacked! The only way to be 100% safe from Identity Theft is to not use a computer or the Internet. Even then, many banking institutions and government agencies may have your vital information in their hands and possibly online -- so no one is really safe!

There are many things you can personally do to protect yourself from Identity Theft. Stop would-be thieves in their tracks and make it really hard for anyone to misuse your good name and reputation.

A few recommendations:

• If you do a lot of surfing on the web -- set your own security standards! Check your browser security level. Try to set this to as high a standard as you can.
• Place a firewall on your computer or network. A firewall is a system or gateway that prevents unauthorized access to your computer or private network. It is usually the first line of defense in protecting your private information or data. A good firewall will help protect you from malicious attacks of spyware, adware, malware, worms, trojans, and hackers. There is no reason not to have a firewall in place, you can download a free firewall from www.zonealarm.com for personal use.
• Get a good anti-virus software program that will help protect your computer against spyware, adware, malware and so on. Purchasing such a program that is updated regularly will save you money in the long run and will add an extra layer of protection for your PC.
• Please note that Antivirus and Firewall Software is Not Enough Having an antivirus or firewall program is not enough to protect you from Spyware. Spyware finds its way onto your computer disguised as legitimate applications. Slipping past your virus and firewall protection.
• Don't store your vital information (credit card numbers, family information, passwords, etc.) on your personal computer, instead store it on CDs or floppy disks or on a computer that is not connected to the Internet.
• If you use passwords, make sure they are hard-to-guess passwords. You should have passwords that are at least eight to nine characters long -- consisting of a mixture of numbers, upper case and lower case letters. Many security experts suggest changing your passwords regularly.
• Never open emails from people you don't know. Especially, don't open any attachments until they are properly scanned for viruses and spyware.
• Phishing -- this is where you get an official looking (though fake) email from companies that you may be doing business with -- never use a link in these emails to provide personal information. Always open a new browser window and type in your 'own' links you have for these companies or sites. Most secure connections will start with "https://". Or even better call their customer service team.
• Regularly check your operating system and download any updates that may contain security patches and fixes for your PC.
• Use an encryption service if you can. This will help in protecting your vital data.
• Always shut down your computer or at least your internet connection when its not in use -- especially if you have a cable Internet connection.
• Make sure you know who is using your computer. Keep track of family members or friends who have access to your computer.
• Make sure you regularly clean your temporary browser files. I do it every day.

Always be aware of your surfing habits and the information or programs on your computer. Keep a close eye on your PC; any slow down or unorthodox operations should be checked out immediately. Scan your machine regularly, check out any unauthorized attempts to access your computer and keep your machine safe.

Make sure that your Spyware, Antivirus, and Firewall software is update regularly. Part of my routine is to update my system every morning. Including checking Microsoft for updates.

Believe it or not, a little common sense will go a long way in stopping Identity Theft and keeping your good name safe!

Article written by Bernie Delorme, webmaster of many Computer Security resources such as PCSecurityPost, Antivirus, Spyware.