Follow these guidelines to secure your personal and financial safety when interacting in online environments such as the Internet: Username and Passwords, Profile Settings, Personal Information, Access & Public Places.
There are several precautions you should consider when selecting usernames and passwords.
Most importantly, do not share your username or password. Try to memorize both your username and password rather than write it down in a place it could possibly be found.
Create a username and password that would be difficult for a third party to guess or understand.
For example, do not choose a password that includes or contains any personal details such as your given name, age, or birth date.
Social networking websites such as Facebook and LinkedIn allow you to customize and change the settings that determine how the information you enter and upload is displayed, used and retrieved online.
Go to the user guide or help section of these websites to understand the settings and adjust them accordingly.
To ensure the settings work properly, try searching your name using a standard search engine such as Google or Bing.
Do not give out details such as your name, age, birthday, address or phone number to individual Internet users in settings like chat rooms or on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
When filling out online forms -- such as surveys, email listservs, or payment details for shopping sites -- make sure that the website is reputable, legal, and secure.
Remember to log out of all websites, internet browsers and applications, especially when you are using a computer or cell phone in a public place such as the library or an Internet cafe.
Follow these links for more helpful tips and suggestions:
Chroma lux. (2013, May 17). Proof Snapchat doesn’t delete your photos [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPHsM9gXOnYv=xPHsM9gXOnY
ConsumerReports. (2013, June 6). Setting Facebook privacy controls [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWlyut4zsko
TEDxTalks. (2011, December 1). All your devices can be hacked [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=metkEeZvHTg
New technologies, such as mobile communication and the Internet, allow you to access information, shop, bank, watch films, and communicate from almost anywhere in the world.
There are, however, a number of downsides to information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Perhaps the most dangerous implication is loss of privacy.
Almost every time you use the Internet there is a digital mark left behind that can be tracked through both legal and illegal means.
Follow these links to learn more about privacy on the Internet:
Bow Valley College Library. (2013, July 30). Digital literacy, netiquette and internet safety. Retrieved from https://bowvalleycollege.libguides.com/content.php?pid=411283&sid=3362191
