Make Protecting Your Privacy a Personal Priority

Today, more and more people are integrating computers into how they conduct their personal business—from banking and shopping to travel planning and research—not to mention keeping in touch with their friends and family. As computers have become increasingly vital components in our everyday lives, the amount of information we transmit and share over the Internet has grown exponentially. When online shopping is routine, and people in social networking communities begin to feel like friends, it's easy to let down your guard when it comes to sharing personal information.

Unfortunately, spammers and people who engage in phishing or identity theft count on computer users to develop a sense of complacency about personal information. They are always looking for ways to access people's personal data so they can use it for their own personal gain.

Many responsible companies recognize the need for privacy on the Internet, and they have taken steps to limit the amount of personal data they require, as well as giving users a choice about how much data they enter and whether that data should remain private. Unfortunately, not all companies develop their sites with privacy in mind, or give users a choice about how much information to they want share.

The following tips can help you safeguard your online privacy:

• Look for privacy statements. Most reputable Internet sites that ask you to log in, including retail, financial and social networking sites, will post a privacy statement. The privacy statement should clearly explain how the site plans to use your information, whether they offer options about how much information you are required to reveal, and if you can opt-out of mailing lists. It's important to read these privacy statements and decide whether you want to participate. If you can't find a privacy statement, take your business to a site that has one.
• Be careful about what you disclose. If you're a regular visitor to a chat room, social networking site or special-interest listserv, it's easy to become complacent about revealing personal information. People you speak with often can start to feel like friends, even if you never meet in person. It's important to remember that spammers and people looking for phishing victims create their mailing lists from e-mail addresses that are posted on the Web. It's also important to remember that much of what you post in public forums and chat rooms cannot be removed, so consider your words carefully before you post them.
• Use multiple e-mail addresses. You probably have a personal e-mail address for close friends and family, and another one for your job. Consider creating additional e-mail addresses for social networking sites, online shopping, banking or other interests. If you enjoy online gaming, entering contests, or downloading coupons, it's smart to create separate e-mail addresses. If you have a problem with one of your addresses (you're suddenly hit by an avalanche of spam, for example, or believe that you’ve become the potential target of an identity thief) it's easier to clean up the problem or delete that address without having to change your address with everyone you know.
• Beware of "free" offers. Because anyone can post just about anything on the Internet, if you see an offer that looks too good to be true, it probably is. Sites or pop-up ads that offer free vacations or free products just for answering a few questions are probably not legitimate. Do business only with reputable companies.
• Turn on your pop-up blocker. Those pesky ads that pop-up in the middle of a Web page are not just annoying; they often contain spyware that allows marketers to track the sites you visit and monitor your Internet activity.
• Keep your private information private. Most sites that allow or encourage user participation (shopping, financial, gaming and social networking sites, to name a few) require users to log in with a username and password. Often you'll be asked for other information, including your real name, address, phone numbers, where you work, and a list of your hobbies or other interests. It's best to enter as little personal information as possible, and to keep that information general. For example, it's fine to mention that you enjoy playing golf, but avoid mentioning the name of the golf course. Save that for people you get to know in person.