Online Privacy?

 

What is Online Privacy? Also known as Internet Privacy, this refers to the personal privacy to which you are entitled when you display, store or provide personal information about yourself on the internet.

 

Here are the most common issues today:

  • Tracking: Cookies and web tracking allow third parties to see where you have been and what you have been looking at. They use this information to send you “relevant” ads. They can track web sites you have visited, where you go within a website, and your postings to newsgroups, blogs or social networking Web sites. To avoid this, you can either opt-out of cookies and web tracking in your browser or have your browser delete cookies every time you close it. 

 

  • Surveillance: Some governments allow law enforcement to monitor their citizens' internet usage. The NSA (National Security Agency), here in the United States, has been using the passage of the PATRIOT Act following September 11th to intercept and monitor citizens’ internet and phone data. Many argue that this goes against the 4th amendment which protects against illegal search and seizure. Others argue that the sacrifice of privacy is worth the government gaining intelligence.

 

  • Theft: Cybercriminals will use malware, spyware and phishing techniques to gain access to your personal information in order to engage in illegal activities such as Identity Theft. 

 

Here are a variety of ways to minimize risk and have good internet hygiene:

  • Use different passwords for your different online accounts.
  • Log out of websites when you are done using them for the session and have your browser set to delete cookies when closed.
  • Read the Terms & Conditions before clicking Agree.
  • Do not open attachments or download files unless you are confident that they are from a trusted source.
  • Secure your web browser.
  • Keep your software up to date.
  • Consider using a password manager so that you can use complex passwords without having to memorize them.
  • Use an Antivirus program.
  • Use a firewall and/or VPN (Virtual Private Network)
  • Regularly check your privacy settings on Google, Facebook etc.
  • Make sure you are on an HTTPS site when providing personal information.
  • Encrypt your internet connection to avoid data interception when uploading to/downloading from the cloud.

 

For more tips on protecting your privacy, watch this video from PBS.