10 Essential Personal Security Tips

security tips

Personal security is easy to ignore, until the unthinkable happens and you become a victim of a crime or other violation. Instead of risking a breach of your personal security, be proactive and stay safe with these ten easy personal security tips.

  1. Change Passwords Frequently

It’s easy to get lazy about passwords, but the truth is that the longer you use the same passwords, and the more simple they are, the higher your risk for having your email or other accounts hacked. Passwords should be changed often, and should ideally be comprised of a random mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

  1. Be Careful with Keys

You should always know exactly where all copies of your house keys are. Be careful about who you give extra keys to, and never hide keys under doormats or in other places outdoors that potential burglars are likely to check.

  1. Get to Know Your Neighbors

Being isolated from your neighbors makes you more vulnerable to crime. Getting to know your neighbors means that you can all look out for each other, and alert each other to any suspicious activity in the neighborhood.

  1. Make Sure Someone Knows Your Whereabouts

When you live or travel alone, it’s important to have someone you check in with from time to time to let them know where you are. Should you get into an emergency, it’s important that someone in your life knows where you are, or where you were supposed to be.

  1. Update Your Antivirus Software

Instead of ignoring update reminders, go ahead and update your antivirus software and remember to run a virus scan on a regular basis.

  1. Get a Shredder and Use It

Never throw away old bills, bank statements, or other documents that include sensitive information. Identity thieves have been known to rifle through the trash looking for such things. Instead, buy a shredder and use it regularly to shred documents and paperwork you no longer need to hold onto.

  1. Memorize a Few Important Phone Numbers

These days it’s less common to have the phone numbers of friends or family members memorized, because we have all the numbers we used saved in our cell phones. If you’re ever in an emergency situation without access to your cell phone, however, having the numbers of a couple trusted people may be critical.

  1. Install an Alarm System

Unless your home and business have a modern alarm system, you are opening yourself up to potential break-ins. Alarm systems allow you to keep an eye on things even when you’re not home, scare off potential criminals, and alert the local authorities of break-ins or other emergencies.

  1. Lock Down Social Media

When posting on social media, try to keep in mind that not everyone who sees your posts necessarily has good intentions. Try to avoid posting personal information or updates that can tip others off to your physical location. To be extra safe, set strict privacy settings and only befriend those you know in real life.

  1. Be Cautious on Free WiFi

When using free public wifi, you should assume that strangers may have access to your information. In particular, avoid logging into financial accounts or making online purchases until you are on a secured internet connection.

By following these ten tips, you will gain the peace of mind of knowing you and your assets are secure and safe.