With the leaking of sensitive data (personal and financial) from an adult dating website this week, many people are now asking if their personal information help on other websites is safe.
It’s a good, valid question. So how do you protect your privacy online in light of current events? Here’s a few tips.
Signing up / Subscribing to websites
Only sign up to trusted websites and consider the type and amount of information they request from you when doing so? Ask yourself if you really need to handing over be or are comfortable with the information being requested. A good internet security suite installed on your PC or device can help detect websites that have a poor reputation.
If a website required online payment consider using PayPal instead of giving your credit card details directly – this gives you greater control over who has access to your financial information.
Email Addresses
Don’t use your work email address for anything but work. Also consider using different email addresses for people you know, online shopping and dealign with websites that are new to you. Webmail services such as Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo all over the ability to create aliases or temporary email addresses for this purpose.
Passwords
Don’t use the same password across multiple websites. For example your email access password should not be the same as your internet banking and Facebook password. Consider the outcome of someone discovering the password for one of the services you use…and then finding out they can use it to gain access to even more of your personal information.
Change your passwords regularly and use a secure password manager so you don’t have to remember them all.
Don’t lurk in those dark places online
Stay off questionable and potentially illegal websites – this is where the cybercriminals love to play. This may include websites offering illegal downloads ,explicit adult content and online gambling.
Protect yourself with Internet Security software
No matter whether you use a PC, Mac, Tablet or mobile device, if you’re connected to the internet you need help to ensure your privacy is protected. Install reputable Internet Security software (yes there’s an App for that).
