5 Simple Tips to Keep Aadhaar Number and Information Safe

In India, the Aadhar card is the standard document of identification and residence. When filing an ITR, the government of India has ordered that each individual's Aadhar card be linked to their particular PAN (Income Tax Return). As a result, tax-related information will be available through Aadhar. Furthermore, the Aadhar Card must be linked to bank accounts in order for the government to gain access to individual financial information via this utility document.

Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) and Aadhar Pay are two government and private money transfer programs that are related to Aadhar. If someone gains access to your Aadhar Card, he or she can now collect data from related/linked services. Furthermore, Aadhar contains biometric information such as iris and fingerprint data, which could be exploited if it falls into the wrong hands. As a result, it's a good idea to keep your Aadhar card safe. 

Here are five simple ways to keep your Aadhaar from being misused.

  • Do not post your Aadhaar number on any social media platforms:
Yes, social media is becoming a part of the air we breathe. We want the world to know how we live every second of our lives, yet there are some things that should not be revealed online, and your Aadhaar is one of them. Use your Aadhaar number in the same manner that you would not publish your credit card number or bank account information on a social networking platform.

  • Lock your biometrics on the UIDAI website.
Your biometric information is collected when you apply for Aadhaar. Your ten fingerprints are scanned, as well as both of your irises, and a photograph is taken.

Did you know that you can protect this data? No one will be able to access your biometric data once you've locked it. Any future misuse of your Aadhaar will be prevented by locking your biometrics.

  • Downloading your e-Aadhaar card on a system you don't trust is not recommended:
The UIDAI has made it incredibly simple to obtain your e-Aadhaar card at any time and from any location. If you don't have your Aadhaar card with you and need to provide a copy for authentication purposes, you may find it simple to download and submit it in a couple of minutes using any computer or laptop. It's possible that you'll neglect to remove it from the foreign system.

Yes, your downloaded Aadhaar card is password-protected, but hackers could bypass passwords to access your data. As a result, you should never download your Aadhaar on a system that you do not trust.
  • Do not provide your Aadhaar number over the phone.
Phishing scams, in which you receive a phone call from someone purporting to be from your bank, service provider, or online vendor, and they ask you for critical information that they intend to use without your permission, are becoming increasingly prevalent these days.

Because Aadhaar is a government-issued identification document, failing to keep it safe can result in your identity being compromised. Protect your Aadhaar information like you would do any other sensitive data.
  • To keep Aadhaar data safe, follow the Uidai security protocols.

The actual Aadhaar number, must not be stored in the database of any business, according to the rules of the Unique Identification Authority of India. The Core Banking System, APIs, e-KYC System etc. other than the Aadhar Data Vault.

The UIDAI has introduced an Aadhaar data vault, which is a centralized storage facility for all Aadhaar numbers collected by authorized agencies. The purpose of the Aadhaar data vault, according to the UIDAI, is to reduce the footprint of Aadhaar numbers within an organization's systems and environment, minimizing the danger of illegal access. 

Source: Medium

Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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