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Freedom251 › Blog › cybersecurity

6 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Online Identity Theft

By Freedom251 Team · · 3 min read

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To protect your identity online, use a different long password for every account, turn on multi-factor authentication where available, share sensitive details sparingly, verify unexpected messages, secure your devices and Wi-Fi, and act quickly if information may have been exposed. These everyday steps reduce risk; they cannot guarantee that identity theft will never happen. The guidance below is U.S.-focused and draws on Federal Trade Commission advice.

How do I protect my identity online?

Start with the accounts and information that could cause the most harm if someone accessed them: your email, financial accounts, and personal identifiers. Email deserves particular attention because access to it can help someone reset passwords on other services. Work through these six steps, then revisit them when you add important accounts or devices.

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1. Use a long, unique password for every account

Do not reuse a password. If criminals obtain one password, they may try it on other services. Make each account’s password long and distinct; a password manager can generate and save passwords so you do not have to memorize each one. Some browsers and devices can also generate and store passwords.

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The FTC’s password guidance gives differing suggested minimum lengths on separate pages, so the practical advice here is to choose a long password rather than treat one number as universal. See the FTC’s strong password guidance and account and personal-information guidance.

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2. Turn on multi-factor authentication for important accounts

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) asks for another proof of identity in addition to your password. The FTC groups factors as something you know, something you have, or something you are. Enable MFA first for email and financial accounts, then for other accounts that offer it. Available methods differ by service, so check each account’s security settings.

Choosing a second factor

  • Security key: A physical device used as a second factor. The FTC describes security keys as the strongest two-factor method in its guide, but an account must support them.
  • Authenticator app: Generates sign-in codes on a device; it is generally a stronger option than a code sent by text or email when the service offers it.
  • Text or email code: Use this if it is the available option rather than leaving MFA off, while recognizing that app-based codes or a supported security key are stronger choices.

For setup details and method limitations, see the FTC’s two-factor authentication guide.

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3. Be selective about sharing sensitive information

Before giving out your Social Security number, ask why it is needed, how it will be protected, whether another identifier will work, or whether only the last four digits are necessary. Do not provide personal information in response to an unexpected call, email, or text. The FTC explains what to know about identity theft and protecting personal information.

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4. Verify unexpected messages before acting

Unexpected messages may be phishing attempts designed to get personal or financial information. The Federal Trade Commission’s April 2025 advice is direct: “Don’t click links or download attachments in unexpected messages.” If a message might be legitimate, contact the organization using a phone number or website you already know is genuine—not the contact details or link in the message.

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The FTC’s phishing guidance also reports that email was the top method scammers used to contact people in 2024; that is a dated qualitative finding, not a count or percentage.

5. Keep devices and home Wi-Fi protected

  • Install updates for your operating system, browser, apps, and security software.
  • Replace your router’s default password and your Wi-Fi password with strong ones.
  • Use encryption for your home Wi-Fi network.
  • Lock devices when you are not using them.
  • Back up important information so you have another copy if a device is lost, damaged, or compromised.

These steps help protect personal information stored on devices and moving across your home network. The FTC covers them in its personal-information protection guidance and security checklist.

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6. Act quickly if a password or personal information may be exposed

If a password may have been exposed, change it promptly. Also change any reused or similar passwords on other accounts. If you suspect someone is using your personal information to open accounts, make purchases, or file taxes, report the suspected identity theft and follow the personalized recovery steps at IdentityTheft.gov, the FTC’s reporting and recovery resource.

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For further guidance on responding to identity theft, see the FTC’s identity-theft information.

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