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Protecting Identity while Using the Internet

July 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Many people are concerned about the safety of their personal information while shopping online or using other websites that require certain information. With the risk of systems being hacked and private details being sold or made public, there is a much higher risk of identity theft online.

There are ways to protect one’s identity when using technology. If a website requires sign-up, put in as little information as is required. Don’t fill in any portions that are optional, as these can be a security risk. When using a credit card or putting in very private information, such as a social security number, users should verify a picture of a lock near the domain name on the browser.

Many hackers are now using email to gain access to personal financial information. Unsuspecting victims receive emails from what they believe to be their bank or credit card company, with a link to click and verify bank account information. This link will then lead directly to the hacker’s site, designed to look like the bank’s site, and privacy is lost. If such an email or message is received, go directly to the secure website of the bank instead of clicking a link. There should be additional information listed there, if the threat is real. If not, share the email with the bank.

When using the Internet, it’s smart to follow any instincts. If a person feels that an offer or gimmick is too good to be true, it probably is. Protecting one’s identity is crucial, as the theft of this can leave a person feeling betrayed, and could lead to the loss of money and other assets.

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Online Privacy Tips

May 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

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Cyber crime has become one of the hottest topics being talked about around technological circles. No matter how many anti-virus, anti-spam and other such technologies are developed, the rate of cyber crime just keeps on growing. Most experts emphasize that a major part of online crimes such as identity theft, spamming, phishing and hacking are possible when cyber criminals have access to a person’s personal data.

 

In order to combat cyber crime effectively, it is you, the consumer that needs to be vigilant. Here are a few tips on how you can protect your privacy online:

 

  1. Never give out confidential data such as your social security number, bank details or passwords over chat or in forums. Giving such details out to strangers is an absolute no-no but even when sharing it with family and friends, these details can be stolen by hackers. In fact, you shouldn’t disclose confidential information even if sites require them until and unless you are making payments through a secured gateway like Verified by Visa.
  2. Install good anti-virus software on your computer that has features like protection against spam and phishing. Most modern anti-virus software com with these features built in and are effective in protecting your computer against virus attacks as well as hackers.
  3. If you absolutely must share confidential information through email, make sure you encrypt it. Saving information as a document and then send it as a .zip file is also safer than sending it out as regular email.
  4. There are paid services like Anonimizer that allow you to connect directly to your proxy server enabling you to use the internet anonymously.

 

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The importance of online privacy

May 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Instances of identity theft, virus attacks and online frauds and scams have been making the news for years now. IT giants struggle to churn out updated anti-virus software that can battle the growing onslaught of virtual threats. Yet, the tide of cyber crime doesn’t seem to be abating. Despite increasing awareness about online scams, people still fall victims to cyber criminals. Online privacy protection experts have kept saying that, at a base level, the safety of surfing the internet lies with the consumer.

 

In other words, if you want to protect yourself from cyber crime, then the first steps towards safety have to be taken by you! You may be wondering what you can possibly do to protect yourself from cyber criminals. Here are some handy tips!

 

  1. Whenever registering at a site you will most likely be asked to fill out a registration form that has several information fields. Provide only that information that is marked as mandatory and leave the rest blank.
  2. Even when providing mandatory data, make sure the site isn’t asking for details that may be misused. Such information would include your bank account details, social security number, passwords or Personal Identification Numbers and other such confidential information.
  3. If you are making online purchases that require you to give your credit or debit card details, make sure it is using a secure payment gateway like Verified by Visa.
  4. To know what information about you is available on the internet, try searching your own name through a search engine like Google. If you see anything you don’t want to share, go to site and have the data removed.

 

Filed Under: Dos & Donts Tagged With: , ,