Protecting Your Privacy Online

Scenario: Protecting Privacy Online

If you're reading this page you've probably spent quite a bit of time online browsing the web, checking your email, and maybe doing some shopping. With identity theft being one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world, it's a good idea to be concerned about privacy.

Things to do

Fortunately, many of the techniques you can use to protect yourself don't take much effort, just a bit of awareness and forethought. As strange as it may sound, you can protect yourself most by being careful about who you talk to and what you say or do.

Protect your password. Don't leave it written down next to your computer or tell it to a friend. Under no circumstances should you give a password away over the phone. No reputable person should ever ask you for your password.

On a similar note, be careful about where you publish information about yourself. If a web site asks you for your name, address, and social security number, ask yourself if it makes sense for them to need it. For example, an online tax service probably would, while a software mailing list probably wouldn't. If it seems questionable, don't do it.

If your operating system allows you to share files or you're using file sharing software, pay close attention to what you're actually sharing. It's very easy to open up more than you meant to, meaning anyone in the world can see what's on your computer.

Finally, pay attention to the software you use. If it's transmitting important information (e.g., anything that could be used to impersonate you) over the network, the data should be encrypted. Many tools, such as SSH and CITES NetFiles, encrypt all traffic. Other programs, such as web browsers, are capable of encrypting information but don't do it all the time. In these cases, encryption is usually indicated by a padlock in the corner of the browser window.

These are only a few suggestions. Information privacy is a serious concern and one that encompasses many aspects of daily life, not just computer use. The biggest hurdle in protecting yourself is usually changing your mindset. Many data thieves aren't interested in checking your email or reading your latest research. They're looking for information such as passwords, names, social security numbers, and credit card numbers that they can then use to hijack your computer, spend your money, or sell to other thieves.

For more information on identity theft and how to fight it, read the University of Illinois' Social Security Number Policy.