Don't Lose Your Identity by Forgetting to Protect Your Privacy

In this Information Age, keeping your personal or business information private is key to protecting your assets. Today, let’s discuss how you as an average individual or business can protect your information by utilizing Internet privacy tools.

For most Internet users, just going online seems like such a mundane task nowadays. From researching to taking classes to conducting business transactions, people use the Internet everyday to take care of the important aspects of their lives and careers. However, what people often forget is how public the Internet really is. When you do go online, are you aware that you expose your computer, and in many cases your company’s server, to the rest of the world? That means millions of other Internet users can potentially access the confidential information that is stored on your computer or on websites and use it however they’d like. Think of it like this; if a stranger came up to you and asked you to show them the contents of your wallet or purse, would you do it? No, of course not!

Obviously then, it makes sense that Internet privacy is a very important thing that all users need to be mindful of. Taking just a few steps can ensure that you are protecting your information from the rest of the world. Here are some tips you can use to accomplish this:

Pictures. If you are going to post pictures of your company, yourself or your family, please keep your information private on the Internet by carefully considering who will see these pictures and how they could potentially be used by others. This is especially true when it comes to posting pictures of your home, your children or your workplace.

Online Profiles and Accounts. If you belong to any online organizations, forums, or any other Internet social networking sites be sure to limit the amount of information you provide about yourself or your company. Also, if you have a company website or personal blog, be sure to keep information about yourself limited. Only provide what’s necessary and provide a phone number or email that viewers can use to contact you for more information. Never, ever provide a personal address as people can find you easily on a map program and you don’t want that to happen when you least expect it.

IP Address. If you visit web sites, then your IP address is known. Why do you care? Well, for one thing, your IP address is a unique identifier of your surfing activities. Websites can track your IP address and associate all of your visits. When you use change IP software, your IP address changes from yours to an anonymous IP address thus protecting your digital footprint.

Online Transactions. If you need to conduct any type of business or financial transaction online, be sure to access the web via a secure Internet browser. That means that any banking information, credit card information, etc. should not be provided unless you know for sure that your Internet privacy is intact. You should see a small icon somewhere, usually at the far right hand corner of your Internet browser window,  that looks like a little brass lock. If you don’t see that, do not provide any personal or financial information. Instead, contact the website administrator to provide a secure method online or find an alternate way of processing your transaction.

Keeping your Internet privacy secure is just one aspect of being a responsible Internet user. By using the tips provided above you can protect your information from the outside world. It’s really just about being smart.