Information Privacy

Some good practices to protect information privacy:

• Be skeptical about installing strange or free software: Make sure you know what information privacy exactly is being installed onto your computer when you download applications off the Internet. Use the custom install option -- if offered -- to see the programs that will be placed on your computer with the downloaded information privacy application. Sypware is often bundled with many free information privacy software downloads. Many of the file sharing or peer-to-peer programs include spyware in the information privacy installation package.
• Pay Attention to Security Warnings: "Security Warning" screens alert users to new information privacy software being installed from Web pages they visit. This software can include ActiveX controls and other executable files. You should not blindly accept such "Active-X" information privacy software installations; and be sure you trust the company installing the software. Here is a sample of a "Security Warning" screen that seeks a users' permission to install the information privacy software. Just because the company's "identity" is verified, it does not mean that you should blindly trust information privacy content from them. Carefully read the privacy disclosure if one is provided (clicking on the software name may cause these to be displayed). Make sure the "Security Warning" screen links to an end user license agreement or other information privacy description of what you're getting. Our sample "Security Warning" screen does not have one.
• Read the End User Licensing Agreement: Almost all legitimate software installations will include an End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) that includes a lot of information privacy. If the EULA is hard to find, or if the documentation is unreasonably difficult to read and understand, then maybe you should think twice before agreeing to install the information privacy software.
• Practice Basic Computer Security Hygiene: As a general matter, there are some basic security precautions you should take to protect your information privacy computer from hackers, thieves and information privacy cyber-terrorists. Following the three security tips below will help prevent all manner of programs from infecting your computer.