It is even more important than ever to protect your personal information in this digital age. The threats to your identity are becoming more sophisticated as cybercrime becomes more common. The threats are plentiful from the stealers of your payment details to identity criminals who take advantage and use it up. But, thankfully there are a few tools that you can use to keep your identity safe from inquisitive eyes. Here are some key tools to have in your identity protection toolbox—whether you are an individual or a business.

LEARN MORE: Read the latest business news here

Password Managers

Weak or reused passwords are one of the most common means by which hackers access personal information. If we want to improve our identity protection then password managers are very much essential. They keep your passwords safe and create secure unique passwords for any account you use. All you need to do with a password manager is remember that one password that will unlock all the passwords of your accounts.

Use 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA is an additional security measure for your accounts, where even if somebody breaks into your password, it prevents anyone from accessing your account without the second verification confirmation step. It might be a text message containing a verification code, an authentication app such as Google Authenticator, or a biometric scan (for example, touch ID). A pretty basic and effective way to increase your identity protection is activating 2FA on your accounts.

Credit Monitoring and Alerts

Because identity theft often involves the abuse of your financial information, being vigilant and forthright with your credit is important. Credit monitoring services notify you of changes to your credit report, including when fraudulent accounts are opened in your name. Some of these services also provide identity theft insurance to help you regain any financial losses associated with an identity theft, if they happen.

Identity Theft Protection Services

If you prefer something a bit stronger, identity theft protection services are also very helpful. They come with a variety of features, such as alpha and dark web scanning for credit monitoring (to see if your data is being sold or traded at illicit sites). Many services may provide tools like fraud alerts, recovery assistance,e and real-time alerts on any abnormal activity.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN is important for identity protection, especially when browsing the internet on public Wi-Fi networks. By using a VPN, your internet connection will be encrypted, meaning browsing activity is hidden and it is far more challenging for hackers to intercept data. Whenever you check your email, shop online, or use social media, a VPN prevents hackers from obtaining access to your sensitive information.

Antivrius and AntiMalver Software

Though not explicitly geared towards identity protection, antivirus, and anti-malware software are critical to ensuring no attacks against your devices succeed. These tools search for viruses, spyware, and other forms of malware that might try to steal your information. Regular software updating and scanning is a precaution to make sure your identity is not compromised.

Dark Web Monitoring

The dark web is a secret region of the internet that supports illegal activity, including selling pilfered personal information. These dark web monitoring tools will come in handy to find out if your identity is being compromised or put up for sale on the black market.

Make Your Social Media Accounts Private

Identity thieves have a goldmine of personal data at their disposal and social media heading the list in every country. Be prepared to bash in a high-security info base that includes top and active social media accounts — strong passwords, unique passwords.

With identity theft lurking around every corner, identity protection tools are a must in this day and age. But combining a password manager, two-factor authentication approach, and credit monitoring will mitigate the chances of someone stealing your identity greatly if not all together when added with other tools like VPNs or dark web monitoring. The important thing is to remain on guard and implement security by layers, as well as keep up with new and existing threats. This will help you protect your personal information from cybercriminals and have more peace of mind in your online life.