Know
your privacy settings.
A
recent industry study found that 21 percent
of adult social network users are leaving
their profiles open for anyone to see.
That’s about 24 million Americans.
The
same study found that 70 million people
have shared their birthplace on social
networking sites and 20 million provided
their pet’s name. Those are the
same details that people are often asked
to provide to verify their identity when
setting up bank accounts.
If
you post vacation updates on an open site,
you're telling the world – and possibly
a burglar – that your home is vacant.
There’s also your reputation to
consider. According to a 2009 study,
70 percent of human resources professionals
have rejected a candidate based on what
they found out about the person by searching
online.
As
part of International Data Privacy Day,
Facebook is reminding its users to review
their privacy setting, found both at the
bottom of every Facebook page and in the
account settings. With just a few clicks,
you can adjust the type of information
that strangers, applications and friends
can access, as well as control the information
they can share about you.
Configure
your wireless router to encrypt data.
Wireless
Internet access is convenient. But you
need to activate your router’s encryption
feature to better ensure information you
transmit over the Web – such as
account logins, passwords and credit card
numbers -- are scrambled.
Read
the instructions that come with your wireless
router to determine how to turn on the
encryption feature. Two main types of
encryption are available: WiFi Protected
Access (WPA) and Wired Equivalent
Privacy (WEP). Your computer, router,
and other equipment must use the same
encryption. WPA2 is strongest; use it
if you have a choice.
Change
your router’s hardware identifier
and preset password so a hacker can’t
use the defaults to try to access your
network.
Of
course, you should also use anti-virus
and anti-spyware software and a firewall.
For help configuring your router, visit
www.onguardonline.gov/topics/wireless-security.aspx
.
Don’t
assume that public “hot spots”
are secure.
Café,
hotel and airport “hot spots”
are convenient, but assume that other
people can see anything you see or send
over a public wireless network.
The
Division of Consumer Affairs has an E-Commerce
and Technology Unit that focuses on internet
fraud and online privacy issues. “The
internet is today’s gateway to the
world and we want users to take steps
to improve their safety as they navigate
the internet,” said Thomas R. Calcagni,
Acting Director of the Division of Consumer
Affairs.
