Simple Online Privacy Tips Every User Ought To Know
Posted by: admin in privacy, online, internet on
Feb 11, 2009
- Giving out any more personal details than absolutely necessary is "madness". You might have to give out certain details while creating an account with an email client, but otherwise, keep personal details like Name, Address, etc with you. It is recommended to give out fake names and addresses on websites you will use only once. Similarly, it is wise to create a separate email account which acts like a pseudonym that you use when filling up forms.
- Making online payment transactions is a big deal. Whether you like it or not, the website stores your credit card information, because it has to. Therefore only use very trusted websites while buying or selling.
- Install good antivirus software and scan the computer everyday. Scanning is essential every singly day so that any spyware, adware or malware will be detected in time. Antivirus software allows you to schedule scans and updates. Ensure you do both regularly, ideally everyday.
- If using MS Windows, go to Start > Control Panel > Firewall and ensure the firewall is turned on. Firewall screens all incoming internet connections (all those tiny updates and messages you keep getting). The firewall will also have an ‘Exceptions' tab. This tab allows you to make exceptions for all those internet connections you want to receive. For example, if you use iTunes and want to avail of updates whenever possible, you can make an exception for iTunes. Windows Vista has much more advanced security options.
- A lot of the data you send and receive over the internet is stored on your hard drive in a folder called temporary files. Mostly these files are cookies, which are saved by the websites you visit on your computer. Although not dangerous they do imply a little security threat since they contain information about you and what you did on your visits on a particular website. Therefore, periodically, it is recommended to delete all items in this folder.
