The more often you back up your data to an external storage drive, the less likely you are to lose personal documents and your digital music and photo libraries. And businesses can safeguard themselves against losing customer records by frequently backing up their databases.

There's a reason identity thieves love dumpster diving. Why? When you simply throw confidential information in the trash, it's like handing a criminal your good name and access to financial accounts. Even an unwanted credit card offer can be a goldmine for identity thieves. When in doubt, don't just toss it — shred it.

Personal information in your PINs and passwords is like leaving the front door to your digital life wide open for thieves. It makes identity theft that much easier for the bad guys. Try to incorporate letters, numbers and symbols in combinations only you will know.

If there's any ongoing suspicious activity taking place with any of your accounts, this will often surface in your credit report. Your financial security is at stake, so check for any accounts you don't recognize or any unusual outstanding balances.

When that flag on your mailbox is up, it's an invitation for thieves to steal your mail and make illegal purchases in your name. Often, you're mailing payments with your check inside, and it's easy for criminals to tamper with your checks to make illegal purchases in your name. Take all payments to the post office, or even better, pay online.

Many computer viruses are spread when you open emails from people intent on doing damage. And phishing schemes are emails designed to look like they're from reputable sources like banks and online retailers. They ask you for things like account numbers and passwords so they can "update your account" — and gain unauthorized access. When in doubt, delete unfamiliar or suspicious messages.

There are more than 10,000 known viruses — and counting. Out-of-date antivirus programs protect against some, but not all, Internet threats. Undoing even a portion of damage when a virus strikes is an expensive, time-consuming proposition.

If your wallet is stolen or lost, you also risk your identity being stolen or lost with your Social Security card inside. Keep the card in a safe place at all times — just not in your wallet.

It's sad to say, but you never know who's looking over your shoulder as you conduct an ATM transaction. Use your hand to shield the keypad as you enter your PIN. And never write your password on your card.

With the growing popularity of social networking sites, be careful about how you present yourself online. Personal information has the potential to not only be embarrassing — it can also make it easy for criminal minds to access parts of your digital life you don't wish to share.