Protect Yourself Online: Tips to Prevent Identity Theft

Brett Shannon Johnson is a former cybercriminal who has turned his life around and now works as a cybersecurity professional. He once ran a darknet network and was eventually arrested by the Secret Service. Despite his criminal past, Johnson now advises on cybersecurity to prevent identity theft and other cybercrimes.

Johnson’s journey from cybercriminal to cybersecurity expert is a fascinating one. In October 2004, he was arrested along with 33 others associated with his darknet network. After being offered a job as an informant by the Secret Service, Johnson continued to break the law for 10 months before being caught. He was eventually sent to prison for seven years. However, Johnson saw this as an opportunity to turn his life around and make a positive impact in the cybersecurity field.

Today, Johnson consults and speaks as a cybersecurity expert, using his knowledge of cybercrime to help protect internet users from falling victim to similar crimes. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s place in the cybercrime spectrum and designing security measures accordingly. Johnson likens protecting oneself online to building a toolbox, with various tools needed to prevent identity theft and other cybercrimes.

One of the key steps Johnson recommends for online safety is freezing the credit of everyone in your household. By contacting the three main credit agencies to block access to credit accounts, individuals can prevent new account fraud. Johnson stresses that credit freezes are free and highly effective in stopping criminals from pulling credit reports and committing fraud.

In addition to freezing credit, Johnson advises placing alerts on all important accounts, such as email, retail, social media, bank, and credit card accounts. By setting up alerts for any account activity, individuals can quickly detect and respond to any suspicious behavior.

Another crucial aspect of online safety highlighted by Johnson is practicing good password security. He warns against using the same credentials across multiple websites, as this makes individuals vulnerable to credential stuffing attacks. Johnson recommends using a password manager to generate unique passwords for each login and save them securely.

Furthermore, Johnson advocates for setting up multifactor authentication for accounts as an additional layer of security. While not foolproof, multifactor authentication significantly enhances security when combined with other measures such as strong passwords and account alerts.

In conclusion, Johnson’s insights into cybersecurity provide valuable guidance for individuals looking to protect themselves online. By following his advice on freezing credit, setting up alerts, practicing good password security, and using multifactor authentication, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to cybercrimes like identity theft. Johnson’s story serves as a powerful reminder that it is possible to turn one’s life around and use past experiences to help others stay safe in the digital world.