Online security: It's not about credit cards
If you're like me, you don't visit a bank more than once a month. You pay your mortgage, car loan, utilities, phone, taxes and insurance online. You download songs, make travel reservations and buy books, clothing and concert tickets from online retailers.
In fact, women are more likely than men to make purchases on the web, and research in the United States shows that shopping is the most popular online activity among women over 40. About half of 40-plus women use social networking sites such as Facebook, and most of them log in at least a few times a week, sharing personal details and photos of themselves and family.
Canadians aren't blind to the risk of sharing personal information on the Internet, but according to experts in online security, we're frequently worried about the wrong things. A survey by McMaster University's eBusiness Research Centre in Hamilton, Ont., found that one in five people has eliminated or reduced the amount of online shopping she or he does because of concerns about identity theft and fraud. Nine per cent said they avoid online banking for the same reason. But it turns out that behaviours you think are risky are actually quite safe, while the most dangerous online activities may be ones you've never considered.
Your credit card is the least of your worries
There's no question that identity theft is a nightmare. "People can spend months, and sometimes years, repairing the damage," says Tom Reid, director of consumer solutions for the credit bureau TransUnion. Fraudsters with access to your personal information can apply for credit cards and loans in your name. When these aren't paid off, it damages your credit score. Reid says you may find yourself unable to renew your mortgage or get a car loan - prospective employers and landlords may even deny you a job or a rental home.
Next page: The problem with debit cards
