I recently read an article in the Globe and Mail on Twitter Stalking.
While this article focuses mainly on the phenomenon of ex-lovers monitoring their former lover’s behavior via Twitter, the article — and concerns raised by a young female client — prompts me to talk about the importance of protecting your Internet Privacy, Security, and Confidentiality.
In a past contract position, I advised physicians, medical clinics, and their staff on privacy, security, and confidentiality. Needless to say, this is a BIG issue because these people are RESPONSIBLE for YOUR medical information. You probably don’t want certain people (lawyers) or organizations (insurance companies) to know, for example that y0u suffer from, say, Bipolar Disorder (like I do).
If I wasn’t paranoid about privacy, security, and confidentiality before I did this work (for 2 years); I sure was after I did it.
Protecting Your Privacy On the Internet
Privacy is about keeping information about you out of the hands (and eyes) of others who you deem should not be privy to that information. It can be things like your birth date or your marital status, your bank balance: basically whatever information you don’t want others to know about you.
So, what can and SHOULD you do to protect your online privacy.
Carefully read the Privacy policies of web MEMBERSHIP sites. If you can’t understand them, find someone who can! THINK carefully about your Privacy Settings.
For example, on Facebook I’ve set my Privacy Settings very tight: I only allow Friends to see photos, videos, and certain parts of my Profile. I’m also careful to NEVER post photos of my family, especially my children (even though they are over 30) and wife.
Be very careful of any GOOGLE service you use! Even though Google aggregates data, they also ARCHIVE it FOREVER! Do you want some disgruntled ex-Googler spilling the beans about all the naughty web sites you visited; especially if you are running for public office.
DO NOT post your home address ANYWHERE on the Internet. I am constantly appalled at the number of women who list their home address on their website. NO NO NO!
In under 30 seconds I can Google Map your home address, zoom in and see your house, yard, and the cars parked near it. And, if ‘Street View’ is available, I can see the front of houses near you and cars parked on your street.
Do you want some nut case knowing where you live?
RENT a PO Box or use a business street address — or just don’t list your address. Especially if you have children, protect them from weirdos by keeping your home address private!
Keeping Personal Information Confidential on the Internet
What is confidential information. It is information about you that bad guys could utilize to ‘steal your identity’. If someone knows your birthdate, social security number, and things like your debit card PIN number, then they can steal your identity.
Identity theft is BIG business these days! Trust me: A friend had his ID stolen. It is a major pain in the butt and costly to restore your identity. The best way to prevent ID theft is to be careful about the information you share.
So, on Facebook and on other social media sites like MySpace, Biznik, LinkeIn, and LiveJournal, seriously think about NOT listing your birthday. Or, at least set your Privacy so only Friends can see your full birthday.
Never ever give anyone your Social Security number! NEVER!
Use memorable PIN numbers but DO NOT use your birth date or any part of it. In fact, here in Canada if you use numbers from your birth date for your PIN number, the banks will NOT guarantee protection of your account from theft.
By all means DO shop online. Consider though, doing as I have done and get a credit card with a very low credit limit and use it for online purchases.
Security On the Internet
Security is about the physical and technology based things you do to protect your data.
It includes:
– Making sure your data is BACKED UP. I once worked with a physician who lost ALL his patient BILLING data during the changeover to a new EMR software package! Not happy was he! I back up my file changes daily and my full system every 6 months.
– Making sure no one can steal your laptop or the data on it. I recently bought a Lenovo ThinkPad that has a built-in finger print reader. Yes, that’s a bit over the top — but I am paranoid.
– Consider NOT storing data on your laptop hard drives. If you cross into the US, the INS and Homeland Security people can COPY your hard drive. So, be careful what’s on it. OH, and they can also copy any thumb drives you are carrying. Consider storing any data you need to access online, e.g. use Google Docs to give you access to your data anywhere in the world. Finally, the border ‘cuties’ can sieze your laptop, camera, and PDA! It’s a scary world folks!
– Ensure no one can access your office based computer. Sometimes it’s just enough to ensure they can’t login. So, for example, I have my PC secured with a user ID and password.
– If you use an in home WiFi network, make sure it’s secured. There are 5 or 6 unsecured home networks within a block of my house. I know because when I had my IT guy set up our home network — and secure it — he found them!
Sounds like a lot to do!
It’s NOT … take a few minutes everyday to make sure THE BAD GUYS don’t get U or YOUR KIDS!
