Tech Tip of the Week

Do you really want everyone to know that?
Limit the amount of personal information you post online

Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest…the list of social networks goes on and on. They’re a great way to stay connected and have become a part of our everyday lives, but do you think about how much personal information you share?
Criminals can use social networking sites to gather personal information which may allow them to commit identity theft or make you a stalking target. Too much information can damage your reputation or put your employment at risk.
How can you protect yourself?

  • Don’t make yourself or your company vulnerable. Ask yourself if you would want your family, your boss, a future employer or a newspaper to see what you’re posting. If the answer is no or I’m not sure…don’t post it!
  • Privacy and security settings exist for a reason. Learn about and use the privacy and security settings on social networks. They’re there to help you control who sees what you post. Review them regularly, settings can change and you may not know.
  • Keep personal info personal. Be cautious about how much personal information you provide on social networking sites. Don’t post your address or full birth date on social networking. The more information you post, the easier it may be for a criminal to use that information to steal your identity, access your data or commit other crimes such as stalking.
  • Know your friends. It might be cool to be able to say you have hundreds of friends online but connecting to people you don’t know may expose you to identity theft or scams.  Be selective about who you friend.
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