It is easy to assume that you do not need to protect your personal data ONLINE since you are the only who knows your password or that the network is protected BUT it may or may not come as a surprise to know that there are people who specialize in hacking and stealing sensitive information either for financial benefit, economic benefit or simply for blackmail.
Most times I always check if a website has got what I call ' extra backing' which is https. Web addresses that are secured with SSL begin with https and are more secured than http. When sending information over http, always verify and enforce extra care on the information that you are sending. Having 'extra backing https' is not exactly a perfect guarantee that nothing will happen to your data but at least it gives you a sense of security.
With the advent of social networks, most hackers disguise as genuine companies pretending to have your interest at heart while trying to capture your personal details and using the information to access your bank accounts or private information meant for you and you alone. Sometimes, you are asked to click on a link and win some form of prize, only for you to click and your information is captured.
In an article written by Charles Bryant online titled: 'Top 10 things you should not share on social networks', this is what he has to say 'Unless you've been living under a rock in 2009, you know that social networking Web sites are the latest and greatest way to interact with other users on the Internet. Thirty-five percent of adults on the Internet now have a profile on at least one social networking site, and 51 percent have more than one. Three-quarters of users between the ages of 18 and 24 have an online profile [source: USA Today]. The Pew Research Center found that 89 percent of these people use the sites to keep up with friends, 57 percent to make plans with friends and 49 percent to make new friends. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Friendster, Urban Chat and Black Planet are just a few of more than 100 Web sites connecting folks around the world who are eager to share their thoughts and feelings. But just like in real life, there's such a thing as sharing too much information (TMI). It's easy to get caught up in the social aspects of sites like Facebook, but what you choose to share is there for all to see if you don't limit who can view your information. The same study by Pew Research found that 40 percent of users have open access to their profiles, allowing anyone to view their information. The other 60 percent restrict access to friends, family and colleagues. Sharing personal information with strangers can be dangerous business, and there are some things you should definitely put on your "do not share" list.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SHARE ONLINE!. READ AND SHARE :).
Have a nice week ahead...Nuela.
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