A few tips for securing data and preempting ID theft

ID theft is a growing concern among consumers and businesses alike. The security of an organization's data determines how effectively it is able to operate and provide business services. ID verification can limit the threat of a data breach for both individuals and organizations. This week, Consumer Reports and ShopSmart magazine released a report on steps to help reduce the risk of ID theft. "ID theft is a major concern for consumers, but a lot of people are unsure of what measures they can take to prevent it," said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart.  "We put together an easy guide to help people protect their identities whether they're in stores, shopping online, or just looking to get rid of old, sensitive paperwork." One important step is to shred any information that may in turn compromise one's ID. This includes credit card data, monthly bills, medical forms, workplace documents and financial statements. Consumers should also be smart when shopping online. For example, public wireless networks expose shoppers' critical financial information, so reserve ecommerce for home or private networks. Security software can also provide additional protection.