{"id":387,"date":"2007-06-19T02:20:00","date_gmt":"2007-06-18T22:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hikmah.ekhwan.com\/index.php\/2007\/06\/19\/top-ten-ways-to-protect-your-online-privacy\/"},"modified":"2007-06-19T02:20:00","modified_gmt":"2007-06-18T22:20:00","slug":"top-ten-ways-to-protect-your-online-privacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hikmah.ekhwan.com\/index.php\/2007\/06\/19\/top-ten-ways-to-protect-your-online-privacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Top ten ways to protect your online privacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here are 10 ways to keep personal information secure when online:<\/o:p><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. \n
    Favour common sense over technological solutions. Keep personal documents safe, preferably in a locked drawer. Shred bank statements, credit card slips and bills before throwing them away.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  2. \n
    If it\u2019s too good to be true, it is. Never open unsolicited \u201cspam\u201d messages. Delete e-mails offering cash, free gifts or stock tips. Millions of unsolicited \u201cspam\u201d messages are sent every day in an attempt to defraud computer users.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  3. \n
    Basic prevention helps. Protect your computer against identity theft. Install security software to combat viruses, spyware and spam and keep it updated.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  4. \n
    Know enough about your firewall, the barrier between the public Internet and a personal computer, to know when it is working and when it isn\u2019t. Don\u2019t worry about the geeky complexity of it all, just know it\u2019s operating.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  5. \n
    Beware of \u201cphishing\u201d, where criminals trick people into revealing personal or financial details, often by sending e-mails purporting to be from a bank. Never casually reply to requests for your personal financial details.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  6. \n
    Keep your private e-mail address secure. Consider using different e-mail accounts for shopping, banking, friends and work. There are many free account providers.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  7. \n
    Do not use the same password for different sites. Choose passwords with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Don\u2019t use obvious passwords, such as your first name or \u201c123456\u201d and don\u2019t write them down. For memory\u2019s sake, choosing a basic root word, then rotating numbers, is safer.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  8. \n
    Make online payments safely. Never enter a card number unless there is a padlock in the Web browser\u2019s frame, rather than the Web page. The Web address should begin with \u201chttps\u201d \u2014 the extra \u201cS\u201d stands for \u201csecure\u201d. Consider reserving one credit card for Web use or signing up for a separate online payment service like PayPal.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  9. \n
    Secure your wireless network at home and be wary when using public access points. Encrypt the connection to scramble communications over the network. Turn off the wireless network when you\u2019re not using it.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  10. \n
    Treat your laptop computer like cash \u2014 never leave it in a locked car or turn your back while using it in a public place. The same holds true with your mobile phone: Lock your phone (and any passwords you keep on it) when not using it.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n