Identity theft is one of the fastest rising Internet crimes. But what is it and how can you guard yourself against being a victim?

Today’s online databases store vast amounts of personal, often financially related information on publicly accessible computers. The technology has been around for decades, but identity theft has become a serious problem only in recent years. Why?

In years past, bank and credit card computer systems were all connected via private networks. The information was there, but the entry points were fewer and closely guarded. Today, businesses do an excellent job of keeping information secure, given the demands placed on their resources.

But as a result of the growth of the Internet along with the ease of access worldwide by non-experts, the entry points to that data have grown. At the same time, the number of knowledgeable individuals with computer and networking expertise has grown many-fold.

Hacking programs are readily accessible on the Internet with a few simple searches. You no longer have to write your own. That lowers the needed level of expertise and the cost to those inclined to criminal activity.

At the same time, online banking, PayPal, eBay and other systems containing financial information and, in some cases, actual electronic dollars, have become widespread. More people do their basic banking online now rather than visiting an actual branch.

That means many more ways to access your private financial data like bank accounts, credit card accounts, PayPal accounts and many more with the needed skills. Try as they might, security professionals at banks and elsewhere can only secure a system so well. They necessarily have vulnerable points. Most of those soft spots are right on your home or small office computer, where security is the most lax.

Tough to crack passwords, regular password changes, password confidentiality, hardened operating systems and applications and network gear are all within the control of private individuals now. Most are not trained and have relatively little interest in the intricacies of computer security.

Now that wireless Internet connections have become cheaper and easier to install - and therefore more common - the problem has only become worse. A data thief can easily drive by your house or walk by your apartment with a laptop and often access your home or small office computer network.

The result of that lessened security means increased data theft. That data theft often ends up being identity theft - the copying of private information a thief can use to pretend they are you. Once they can successfully masquerade as you online, it’s a simple matter to use that information to take your money.

Banks and others can only react after the fact, in that case. Often, they can’t reimburse you for the loss.

No system is impossible to crack. But a few simple guidelines can help improve your odds. Choose odd passwords with special characters and change them at least every 60 days. Don’t share passwords with anyone but one trusted adult. Keep your computers and network physically secure, just as the professionals do.

Beyond computer and network security, don’t forget to secure your documents. Whether paper or CDs/DVDs, shred anything with your account number, signature or other personal information that can be used to steal your identity and your money.

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