GuardMyID - Protecting your Digital Identity

1. Use a Password Manager

Passwords are clearly a huge problem. Michael Connory, CEO of Security in Depth was categorical when he said, “Passwords are the cockroaches of our industry.” They give a false sense of security. Your primary email is the gateway to all of your services. If an attacker accesses your inbox, they have the power to impersonate you or reset passwords on other websites, on which they can steal money or cause other serious harm. Even if you are using password managers today, it is likely that you have re-used passwords throughout the years and across several websites.

2. Enable two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication means that in order to either log in or confirm a transaction, you will need to use two factors to authenticate yourself, preferably a combination of: something you know (a password, PIN code or passphrase); something you have (a physical token, USB key, your mobile device); or something you are (fingerprint, face recognition, hand gesture).

Two-factor authentication varies across services and countries but the good thing is that today they are widely available: SMS one-time passwords, email one-time passwords, printed one-time passwords, national ID cards, mobile authenticator apps, disconnected tokens, USB stick tokens, etc. GuardMyID will enable you to set 2FA successfully - everywhere.

3. Take an extra second before you click, or before you post

Let’s say it’s the time of the day when you check social media. Someone you follow has shared a flashy poll “Are remote workers more productive?” and it sound very interesting. Wait. Take an extra second before you click. Take an extra second to think: is it worth to participate in that game? Will this leak personal data about me or my company?

4. Never believe someone calling you is who they say they are

In the past, it wasn’t uncommon for a bank to call you by phone to verify some personal information, even to confirm a transaction, so some people built the belief that talking by phone with the bank was a necessary and safe practice. And they were right.