Think again when you throw your personal information!

Millions of people carelessly toss their sensitive information aside every day, and criminals know what to do with this wealth of information. #Cyber #security experts have approached the protection of personal information from a different perspective in this period when online shopping is on the rise.

Picture Source 👇https://unsplash.com/s/photos/rubbish
While #malicious actors go to great lengths to gain access to your personal data, you should try to keep your data as private as possible. Because you can't be sure who will look at what you buy online and the information in the documents that can be sent for recycling.

📌How do you destroy your personal information?

With the COVID-19 process in the world, the number of products purchased via mail and cargo has increased significantly. We buy almost everything online, from casual shopping to hobby tools. Large and small cargo packages and envelopes began to follow each other every day. These parcels or receipts may contain more than enough information for a #cybercriminal to social engineer. In addition to name and address information, phone numbers and e-mail addresses can be found on parcels or documents that are thrown into recycling or trash bins without being properly disposed of. Let's remember, #Facebook admitted earlier this year that 533 million phone numbers can now be searched online with their respective email addresses. When this information is put together, it can turn into a valuable treasure chest for cybercriminals.

When the information is brought together, every detail becomes meaningful.

📌Your paper and cardboard waste is very valuable to cybercriminals due to the amount of sensitive information on them. They can manipulate people with this information using several methods. For example, with your phone number and an invoice for your new purchase, they may call or text you for an update on the potentially purchased product, asking you to visit a website that may allow you to provide more information, such as a password or credit card information. There is a potential for them to access your shopping accounts and purchase items from stored cards, or worse, attempt identity theft.

📌What should you pay attention to when shopping online?

👉Shred and destroy any personal data before throwing it away and remember to check the envelopes/parcels.

👉Use unique, complex passwords and change them if they are compromised.

👉Use multi-factor authentication on all accounts.