Digital Security 101

Kroll provides identity monitoring to customers of companies impacted by data breaches — but its lack of features could make you think twice before signing up.

LifeLock offers strong protection against identity thieves, but its pricing plans are confusing and costly compared to alternatives like Aura.

Aura and Identity Guard both offer all-in-one protection plans — but there are several differences in their services that can help you decide between them.

The first warning signs of identity theft include unusual financial transactions and hacked accounts — but there are other red flags that you should know.

Government agencies can legally require your SSN under federal law. Private companies can request it, but unless a law applies, you can refuse.

Signs of SSN misuse can be hard to spot. Look for data breach alerts, unexpected earnings on your Social Security statement, and credit report errors.

IDShield is worth it if you want licensed private investigators and can pay extra for three-bureau credit monitoring. It’s less ideal for broader coverage.

Despite LifeLock’s recognizable brand name and IdentityForce’s backing by a major credit bureau, both have issues you should know about before buying.