Privacy Online
Be careful when giving personal information to a website that could threaten your privacy online. Some advice on protecting your privacy online by checking websites’ policies.
- Does this site have a Privacy online Policy? I would be hesitant to store any personal data on a website that doesn’t have a policy. This even applies to beta sites. I would also make sure you understand the policy on privacy online.
- Who else has access to the privacy online information? I’m not just talking about site employees, but other users. For example, who will see the resume you post online?
- Does this site or tool (e.g. browser toolbar) indicate how your privacy online data will be used? For example, does that nifty toolbar you added collect data that might be used by 3rd parties?
- Is the site privacy online public? If you’re posting information on a public website or forum, make sure you’re comfortable with others reading it for a very long time. Even if the site goes away or changes, people may still see privacy online content from places like the Wayback Machine.
- What if your privacy online data became public? Many people are starting to use web services that allow you to create and store all sorts of data such as documents and spreadsheets. Are you keeping your privacy online firm’s next product launch on a cool new beta site?
- What if the website provider closed? Are you storing any privacy online information on a site that is irreplaceable or would cause major inconvenience if you weren’t able to access it?
- How does the vendor protect your privacy online data? Does the site require you to use a password? Do they use other services such as Hacker Safe or abide by some privacy online code of ethics?
- How do you protect your privacy online data? Yes, you have a role too. If a site password is required, when was the last time you changed it? How easy would it be for someone to guess it?
Could people guess the answers to common security questions we see about “pet names”, “high schools”, “first car” or “maiden name” from privacy online info or photos you’ve publicly posted? - Can you get your privacy online data out? If you decided not to use a site where you’ve stored data, can you get it out? Is there a way to export your privacy online information or delete it?
- Do they need all this privacy online information? Sometimes, we provide more than what is necessary.
