Online privacy is becoming an increasingly sensitive issue

Posted: December 15th, 2011

Not only are there greater threats out there than ever before, but we’re increasingly putting more and more of our own personal and private information online, on social networking sites such as Facebook, often without even knowing who has access to that information. We’re also entering our personal information and credit card information into more sites than ever, as we turn more often to the internet to purchase even common items.

Sites like Spokeo now collate data on just about every user on every social network they can,
and even augment that information with stuff like satellite images of your house, and give that information away to anyone willing to pay them $40 for it. You should truly only ever post something that is of no consequence to you if anyone else sees it. You now have to assume that anything you put online can and will be seen by anyone, so discretion is the key. Even posting seemingly innocent things like your general travel plans could leave your house open to theft, or your friends the victim of a common scam where they impersonate you and beg for money.

Recent statistics also show that as many as 25-30% of users are being affected by viruses and malware each year, issues which could be serious enough that they lead to a loss of data, or the theft of your banking information and personal identity. Keep yourself well protected while online, and always be aware of links you’re clicking, and sites you’re visiting.

The online realm is fraught with peril, but if you protect yourself adequately and always have an eye on your surroundings and a thought on your privacy, you should have no problems navigating it safely and securely.

Judy

Softarama team

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