Is Life Lock Worth the Money?
From the hacker perspective.
Short answer is absolutely NOT.
They may seem prepared for anything but in reality they're not. And by the time they've discovered your information has been used by another, it's already too late. Their CEO who had his social security number advertised, had a loan finalized in his name.
If it didn't work for the big boss man, why would it for you?
Source:
https://www.wired.com/2015/07/lifelock-failed-one-job-protecting-data/
Source:
https://www.wired.com/2015/07/lifelock-failed-one-job-protecting-data/
The damage is done by the time they find out and odds are you might find out before they do.
As an alternative that actually works, you'll want to do the following:
1.) Get a "No log" vpn and use it with wifi and cellular networks.
Black hat hackers can create malicious hotspots and use IMSI catchers to collect data over cellular signals (especially at airports and large cities). Using a VPN protects your data and sensitive information. And they range from free, $4-10/monthly, or $20-40 yearly.
(I use a yearly $36 NordVPN subscription for this).
2.) If your bank or credit card provider has a purchase notification option, use it.
You'll get a notification everytime you use your card, but it'll be easy and fast to flag false purchases.
3.) Freeze your credit reports.
Freezing and thaw your credit reports is free and be done online or by phone. This will protect you from someone else trying to open a line of credit in your name. When you want to open a line of credit, just thaw your credit scores.
Go to each credit bureau's website, sign up for a free account, and navigate to freeze my credit. Heres the direct URL for each.
TransUnion:
Equifax:
Experian:
Or you can call:
Equifax: 800-685-1111
TransUnion: 888-909-8872
Experian: 888-397-3742
Also use Credit Karma or Credit Sesame to keep up to date with your credit as much as you want for free. It'll also give you added credit account updates quickly.
4.) Look at your detailed credit reports yearly and bank statements monthly.
If you followed the steps above, the you'll already know. But doesn't hurt.
5.) Don't give information to strangers.
Just like kids, be aware of the stranger danger. Some black hats will use something called social engineering to get your information. If you have a suspicious caller. Hang up and call that company, tell them about the call. If it was a social engineering call, they'll be able to better assist you and all their customers. Same goes for online as well.
If you suspect your online account has been hacked. Use this site to find out if it was found:
https://haveibeenpwned.com/
If you suspect your online account has been hacked. Use this site to find out if it was found:
https://haveibeenpwned.com/
7.) When you change your home's smoke alarm batteries, change all your passwords.
Safety is the key. Using a password manager can help you keep track of your passwords. And really, password managers make life easier online.
8.) Use two factor authentication when possible with your online accounts.
Two factor authentication protects your accounts with a one time use token. When you login to your account, another page will ask for your two factor authentication token. This token is provided by an app on your phone or tablet. I would suggest Authy for your two factor authentication needs.
Use this handy site for 2FA setup instructions
8.) Use two factor authentication when possible with your online accounts.
Two factor authentication protects your accounts with a one time use token. When you login to your account, another page will ask for your two factor authentication token. This token is provided by an app on your phone or tablet. I would suggest Authy for your two factor authentication needs.
Use this handy site for 2FA setup instructions
https://twofactorauth.org/
9.) Use a cross shredder for documents you want to throw out.
Not just a paper shredder, but a cross paper shredder. Cross shredders will shred paper into small cubes instead of a long line. This is because, people will enough time can put together the long strips of shredded paper, like a puzzle for black hat hackers.
10.) Use a data shredder on your computer and mobile devices.
Just because you delete something doesn't mean it's gone, it can be restored. But using a data file shredder it'll put unwanted files through a delection process where the file(s) can not be restored.
Download my secure data shredder:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.completedelete
9.) Use a cross shredder for documents you want to throw out.
Not just a paper shredder, but a cross paper shredder. Cross shredders will shred paper into small cubes instead of a long line. This is because, people will enough time can put together the long strips of shredded paper, like a puzzle for black hat hackers.
10.) Use a data shredder on your computer and mobile devices.
Just because you delete something doesn't mean it's gone, it can be restored. But using a data file shredder it'll put unwanted files through a delection process where the file(s) can not be restored.
Download my secure data shredder:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.completedelete
SO DON'T THROW YOUR MONEY AWAY WITH THE LIFE LOCK SNAKE OIL.
These solutions are not only free/cheap. They're effective, where Safe lock is not. And the "deep web scan" is a scam, you'll know about it before they do.
