We live life on the go. Everything from shopping to work to booking vacations has gone mobile, making it easy to check everything off the to-do list no matter where we are. But for every new part of life that crosses the digital divide, a long line of identity thieves and hackers is ready and waiting to take advantage of vulnerabilities. Online banking is one particularly alluring option for thieves, so consumers need to guard their accounts carefully.

While bank customers can generally feel assured that their financial institution is working hard to ensure that online systems are safe, they should still follow some personal best practices.

Don't: Ever trust an email, purportedly sent by a bank, that demands account details, passwords or PINs. Thieves using phishing emails will send bank customers links which, once clicked, will collect any sensitive account information users enter.

Do: Guard against malware. This tried-and-true method for carrying out identity theft and fraud is as popular as ever among thieves. Emails containing malware might not appear to be from a bank - they might be masquerading as a message from a friend, or even as a contest to win a vacation. But if a user clicks on an attachment, malware could automatically download to their computer, where it mines personal data and passes it all along to scammers. For added protection, keep anti-virus and anti-malware software up to date.

Don't: Assume that site encryption is always enough protection. Need to check an account while working remotely from a coffee shop? Even logging on to a secure site can be dangerous when using public WiFi. Using an unsecured network can leave users exposed to keylogging, in which software records every keystroke you make. So even if "https" is in the address bar, make sure the network is private and password-protected.

Do: Ask tough questions of the bank. Customers are vulnerable to attack, but so are bank employees. Identity thieves have hatched strategies to get into employees' work computers and gain access to the accounts of thousands of customers. Talk to a bank manager about policies and practices enforced among employees to protect customers' information. Ask, for instance, whether employees are required to use work computers for personal matters or whether employees are allowed to access work accounts from personal devices.

Online banking doesn't need to be a panic-stricken practice. Simply follow these tips, stay vigilant and you'll be better prepared to fight fraud.

Most people don't make a move without having a cellphone close at hand. As smartphone popularity skyrockets and shows no signs of slowing down, more and more consumers have a GPS-capable device with them nearly 24 hours a day. While those systems can help solve navigational problems and track lost phones, they can also provide identity thieves with a perfect way to take advantage of unsuspecting victims.

Most smartphones come equipped with ways to minimize the potential for identity theft, but it's often up to users to enable them. Features like automatic locking, passwords, and the option to turn off Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS, all of which can give savvy thieves access to sensitive information.

A home address pre-programmed into a GPS is exactly what an identity thief would want to find, but simply leaving GPS on enables thieves to tap into information while a user is out and about. Not only can it lead them straight to a home when the owner is away, enabling a break-in; it also gives them two key pieces information they need to apply for credit cards or loans: a person's name and home address. Surprisingly, a thief posing as someone doing a background check can access and purchase Social Security numbers. It's that much easier for them to get access to Social Security numbers when they already have names and addresses.

The simple act of shutting off GPS functionality could mean the difference between keeping your data safe or having to deal with the nightmare of a stolen identity. Next time, switch it off and stay secure.

The dating game isn't what it used to be. For those seeking a prospective mate, using online dating services is no longer a taboo-it's often the go-to option. That means coming into contact with a lot of unknown people. While most have perfectly honorable intentions, some identity thieves take advantage of people's hearts to get to their identities.

To protect your identity (and heart) when dating online, a healthy dose of caution can be useful. Above all, if someone sounds too good to be true, they probably are. Watch out for these other signs that someone might be turning on the romance for all the wrong reasons:

* Asking for too much personal information. If someone requests an address right off the bat, or too early in a relationship, don't be afraid to withhold the information. Home addresses are an important part of the information an identity thief needs to collect to pull off a scam.

* Someone who's too forward. They might claim to be swept off their feet, but a dating prospect who wants to move too fast might be making a break to steal an identity. Keep things at a comfortable pace, and if they're more aggressive than what seems reasonable, don't hesitate to cut off ties.

* Requesting money. Identity thieves preying on daters have been known to come up with elaborate stories to try to extract money from their victims. They might claim to have been robbed, or to have beloved family member who is gravely ill, and then ask for a wire transfer to help them through their difficulty. Sending money via bank transfer can give thieves information they need to access bank accounts and commit identity fraud, so resist the urge to help out.

Most people only think of protecting their hearts when dating, but protecting identities should be just as important. Otherwise, daters can be in for double the heartbreak.

Tracking your teen’s online activity: wpri.com