Shoulder surfing occurs when someone looks over your shoulder in a public space as you use your phone, device, or ATM. The person hopes to obtain information such as a password or credit card number. Identity thieves can use the data to make unauthorised credit card purchases and take out loans, among other things. They could accumulate massive debt in your name and severely damage your credit score. Fortunately, there are ways to stay safe.
ID Screen: 12 Ways To Safeguard Against Shoulder Surfing
People use their devices everywhere, often without thinking. If you’re at the airport and pick up your phone to respond to an email, someone could be watching you type. Here are the top ways to stay safe from this form of eavesdropping or visual hacking.
1. Wait To Conduct Sensitive Transactions and Communications
People can become victims of identity theft if they type their bank account information, credit card details, passwords, or more in public — due to public Wi-Fi networks and lurking identity thieves. Even if nobody is around, CCTV devices or other cameras may be able to capture what you key into your device.
It is safest to wait until you are alone and on a private network before you check your bank balances. At the very least, find a corner or space without cameras where you can be alone. For example, if you use your laptop in a coffeehouse, work with the laptop screen facing the wall and angled away from other people. In general, try to avoid typing sensitive information in public places.
2. Use Privacy Screens
Privacy screens, also called privacy filters or shields, double as screen guards and shoulder snooping prevention. They allow only you to see the screen. Bystanders or people behind you are not able to visually hack what you are typing.
The protectors use a special privacy filter that allows light from certain angles to pass through. You see the screen, while other people see a dark or black screen. You can get privacy screens for phones, tablets, and laptops. Many screens offer features such as blue light reduction and anti-glare coating.
3. Use Strong Passwords
The more complex your password is, the harder it is for a shoulder surfer to guess. If your password for an online store is simple, someone who saw you type most of it may easily be able to guess the rest. This type of guesswork becomes much harder with passwords involving simple words, special characters, numbers, and uppercase letters.
In the same vein, use different passwords for different accounts. If someone who is shoulder surfing happens to nab your email password when you type it in, this person could have access to many more accounts if you use the same (or very similar) password in multiple places.
4. Shield Your Phone or Device
Hold or position your device in a way that other people cannot see what you are typing. You can also turn around or use your body to block views.
5. Monitor Your Identity Constantly
Identity protection technology offers services such as 24/7 monitoring, real-time alerts when your information may be at risk, and dark web surveillance. These services are good to have as a matter of course and can protect you if you slip up in public. It’s so easy to let your guard down for a moment when you check your phone. Visual hacking can occur in seconds but lead to a lifetime of consequences.
6. Follow Recommended Best Practices for Identity Protection
Keep your devices up-to-date to guard against vulnerabilities, use two-factor authentication, avoid public Wi-Fi networks, or use cellular data or virtual private networks if in public. Other tips include the following:
- Limit what you share on social media.
- Check your credit reports.
- Review your credit card bills, bank statements, and other documents for unusual activity.
7. Keep Your Guard Up
Shoulder surfers prefer chaotic, busy, crowded environments but operate everywhere. You could be at risk in any type of public place, be it a church, library, university class, shop, or party. Even co-workers at a new job may spy on you as you fill out new-hire paperwork. Practice caution wherever you are, especially if you do not have a privacy filter on your device.
For example, if you go to put your card in the ATM, you may not pay attention to the person talking loudly on their phone. However, the “phone conversation” could be a ruse so the person can watch as you key in your PIN and later steal your card. Alternatively, the person may be waiting for a victim who leaves the ATM before the transaction is complete so the surfer can step in and answer, “Yes,” when the ATM asks whether the user wants to make another transaction.
8. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
To avoid shoulder surfing, look around you before you use your device. Never position yourself out in the open or get so engrossed in what you’re doing that a person could creep up behind you without you noticing.
9. Watch for Cameras
Cameras have the potential to shoulder surf in their own ways. The people who view the footage can use zoom functions to pick up the information you type.
10. Stay Quiet
Some people speak or mumble their passwords, security codes, or other data as they type it in. This helps shoulder surfers tremendously, so keep your lips zipped. Similarly, don’t hold public phone conversations in which you share personally identifying information.
11. Remain on the Lookout for Suspicious Behaviour
Shoulder surfers may seem overly interested in you or your device. Shy away from people who sit way too close or attempt to get closer looks at your screen.
12. Maintain a Straight Back
Keep your back straight, and do not lean forward when you use your device. Leaning makes it easier for someone to snoop over your shoulder.
Protect Yourself From Shoulder Surfing With ID Screen
Shoulder surfing can lead to devastating identity theft and financial fraud. Give yourself peace of mind with continuous identity monitoring. Read about ID Screen’s services today, and sign up for protection.
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https://lifelock.norton.com/learn/identity-theft-resources/what-is-shoulder-surfing
https://www.androidauthority.com/privacy-screen-protectors-explained-970541/
https://panzerglass.com/pages/how-do-privacy-screen-protectors-work
https://oag.ca.gov/idtheft/facts/top-ten
https://www.aura.com/learn/shoulder-surfing
