How to Protect Your Privacy on the Internet and Social Networking Sites

Gone are the days when identity theft was limited to the interception of someone's mail or calling and tricking someone into giving out information. Today, the Internet makes the job of stealing identities much simpler. Some of the primary places you may be vulnerable to dangerous people are social networking sites, such as MySpace, Facebook and dating sites. Your careless use of passwords could contribute to the danger as can responding to unsolicited emails.

Instructions

1. Don't open emails from people you don't know. They could contain malware or an attempt to engage you in a scam that ends up costing you money. Sometimes, the titles of the emails are obviously strange, but sometimes they appear to be friendly or familiar, so you have to be vigilant when opening a new email.

2. Don't respond to emails that request personal information like your Social Security number or appear to be from your bank or credit card company. Sometimes, scammers pose as legitimate companies. Your credit card provider or bank will never email you asking for personal information. If you are concerned, contact the company in person or on the telephone.

3. Don't use the same log-in name and password on your bank account as you use on game sites or public forums that request registration.

4. Set your Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites to the private settings, not the public settings. This way, you limit access to the information and pictures on your site to only the people you add as friends. If someone searches your name on a search engine, he won't be able to look through your profile if it is set to private.

5. Don't put personal information on social networking sites. Don't list your phone number, address, date of birth, social security number or where you are going to be at a certain time. Don't even put this information on a friend's page, because if his page is public, anyone can see your information on his page. If your friend asks for directions to your house, don't put your response on his page. Limit that information to a phone call or a private message.

References

• Federal Trade Commission: Privacy & Security

Resources

• NPR: Protecting Your Privacy on Social Networking Sites