Some would say you need to spend a lot of money or buy new software to help you get back on track, but you don’t. All you need to do is follow these simple steps.

First, file a police report that clearly states you are a victim of identity theft. Be sure to keep a copy of this report. Then get a copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus: Experian, Transunion and Equifax. You should go through these reports carefully, making sure that all of the information is correct. Make detailed notes of any that is incorrect and that appears to be the result of identity theft.

File a dispute with each credit reporting agency for each individual item. This is done by filling out a form and mailing it in, or by submitting electronically through the bureaus’ Web sites.

Remember that you must be persistent. Follow up with each credit reporting agency on a consistent basis. Write everything down, including each conversation, each name and every date and time.

Stay focused. Identity theft repair can be daunting, but you have to remain focused to make sure the damage that has been done to your credit is corrected.

To avoid having to do all of this on your own, call LifeLock today. As a LifeLock customer, your personal information will be protected. But if it is ever compromised, LifeLock will work with you to set things right. Guaranteed.

Receive 30 days free and get a 10 percent discount on enrollment with the LifeLock Promo Code “Defense.”

In recent months, a new application called Firesheep – an add-on for the browser Firefox that provides an easy way for non-hackers to access others’ login information – was released. Firesheep works on a basic principle. Each time you log in, you provide your user name and password, which creates a “cookie.” That cookie can be sidejacked* and used to access your accounts.

If you are on a secured network, you can protect yourself. But if you’re using unsecured Wi-Fi, then your cookies may as well be on a plate and handed over to an identity thief, along with some milk to wash them down.

Once Firesheep is installed, it presents the users who are logged in using an unsecured Wi-Fi network and shows the sites they are visiting. It also reveals the users’ name and image, and with only one click, anyone can log in as that user, and gain access to all of their information.

Facebook has responded to the concerns about Firesheep voiced by its users, and has added a means to keep their web connection secure while connected to their accounts. The ability to add this encryption in Facebook was added this week.

To enable the encryption in your Facebook account, click on “Account,” then “Account Settings.” Scroll down to “Account Security,” and click “Change.” Look for “Secure Browsing https,” and click on the box to enable it.

Https protection has not yet been launched to all Facebook users, but is instead being rolled out slowly in the next few weeks, according to Facebook executives. If you don’t see the option yet, keep an eye out for it, and enable it as soon as possible.

It should be noted, however, that this encryption will not stop scams and the “koobFace” virus. There are still those who try to manipulate Facebook users to see videos, stories or images by clicking on a link, which will put that user’s account at risk. Be sure to verify the source of any links you receive before you click, and don’t click on links contained in unsolicited e-mails.

*Sidejacking is a term used to describe the malicious act of hijacking a victim’s user name and password, most often on social networking sites.

But there are ways to protect yourself. Being careless is the No. 1 way to ensure that you’ll become a victim of identity theft. Here are five practical steps to keep your identity safe.

* Make better passwords. Experts have been telling us for years to create better passwords, but we are still not listening. Are you guilty of using the same password over and over again? Is your password very simple? The first rule of thumb when it comes to passwords is to not use the same one over and over. At the very least, make sure your password is at least slightly different for each account you have.

Don’t use a password that anyone who knows you could easily guess. Don’t use your name, your pet’s or children’s names…these are very easy to guess. If you do wish to use any of those, make it harder to guess. Replace an “a” with an @ sign, an “e” with a 3, an “s” with a 5, etc. You could use the same password for every account, just modify it.

• Delete e-mails containing passwords. Hackers know these e-mails are an easy way to gain access to your information. Don’t e-mail yourself your passwords. Write them down if you feel you can’t remember them.

• You PINs, just like your passwords, should also be hard to guess. Follow the same advice for them as you would for passwords.

• Don’t just worry about the transactions you do online – you have to protect your computer as well. Do you store sensitive information on your computer? If you do, password protect your computer and encrypt your files.

If you have a Windows-based operating system, right-click on a file and choose “Properties.” Under the “General” tab, click “Advanced” and then click “Encrypt contents to secure data” and click “OK.”

• There are still plenty of thieves who engage in good, old-fashioned dumpster diving. These criminals will sift through your trash, looking for documents with identifying information on it, like a Social Security number. Prevent this from happening by shredding or burning documents bearing any personal information before you throw them away.

By following these simple suggestions, you’ll be a lot safer – and your personal information will be, too.

According to Javelin Strategy and Research, more than 11 million people in the United States became victims of identity theft last year. That makes it crucial for consumers to learn how to put stronger safeguards on their personal information. The best way to do this is to be proactive. And the best way to be proactive is to sign up with LifeLock, the industry leader in proactive identity theft protection.

LifeLock has teamed up with the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association to sponsor three identity theft summits during the month of October. Between Oct. 19 and 28, summits will be held for local and statewide law enforcement in Montgomery, Ala., St. Louis, Mo., and New Orleans, La. The summits will educate law enforcement personnel on the latest ID theft statistics and how to better combat it, as well as showing them the techniques criminals are using.

LifeLock will also present a summit at the Virginia Crime Prevention Association Annual Statewide Conference in Norfolk, Va. Oct. 20.

In addition to shredding unneeded documents that may bear your personal information and downloading security software, LifeLock recommends the following tips:

• Crosscheck phone numbers that come in to your telephone. Thieves are using new technology to trick your caller ID by using a false name and number. Make sure the number is legit.

• Don’t let thieves “rent” your identity. Even if you’re a homeowner, you should request your rental history to be sure someone isn’t using your personal information to rent an apartment or other property.

• Check on your prescriptions history to be sure a thief isn’t using your identity or health insurance information to obtain drugs or services.

• If a debt collector is contacting you about a debt that truly isn’t yours, tell them to stop contacting you. By law, a collector cannot continue to call you if you tell them to stop. You should confirm the debt isn’t yours, you should send a letter stating that and requesting that they stop contacting you. Keep a copy of the letter and the return receipt after you send it. If the collector continues to contact you, they may very well be an identity thief.