It can happen to you.

In the Digital Age, we are constantly creating online passwords for new accounts, from online newspaper subscriptions to online shopping platforms. Since it is nearly impossible to remember all of the usernames and passwords, many of us link accounts or keep passwords saved on our devices for automatic login.

Somehow, many of us think that we are immune to cyber security threats and continue to use the same weak passwords for multiple accounts. But we are all vulnerable to hacking, and it can happen in under a minute.

It may seem a daunting and cumbersome task to protect your online security. First, if you are not particularly tech-savvy, you may not know where to begin and don’t understand some of the programs and applications that are available. If you can’t understand what the product does, how can you be sure it is trustworthy?

Second, who has the time to go through all of the options and figure out how to start securing their online privacy? In a constantly busy world, it may seem easier to risk getting hacked. But it is not worth the risk, and it is not too late–or too difficult–to learn how to protect your privacy now.

It is much easier to be proactive about identity protection than to go on the defensive once something bad has happened. Wired writer Mat Honan was hacked in 2012 through his Amazon account, which led to his AppleID, Gmail and Twitter accounts. The hacker deleted all of his files, emails and photos via iCloud, and Honan regretted not taking better steps towards cyber security such as 2-factor authentication for his Gmail account, which he admits may have prevented much of the damage.

2-factor authentication as explained by Google.

What happened to Mat Honan could happen to any of us because hackers are smart and cyber security changes every day. That means it is extra important to be proactive about protecting your online identity. Many password managers today make it easy to create strong, secure passwords and keep them in a safe, encrypted place, accessed only by one master password.

This is one way to keep your identity secure online, but there is more that you can do, including limiting ad tracking, masking your email address and credit cards, and more. Simply changing your password every few months will not necessarily help, as this might cause you to create weaker passwords that are easier to remember. Password managers are essential in protecting your online privacy. If you want to learn more, check out this Top 5 list for free cybersecurity education websites.

Hackers and thieves become more advanced each day and find new ways to steal your identity, including using your Internet-connected devices such as your SmartTV or programmable coffee maker which contain your personal information. By being proactive, you can attempt to stay one step ahead of hackers and protect your privacy.

Find out how Abine can help you stay safe online with its password manager, tracker blocking and masking services.