Since its inception, the Internet has made everyone’s life more convenient. That, however, comes at a price because the Internet, and by extension, the people who use it, may fall victim to some of its pitfalls. There are five common privacy concerns that you should be aware of.
Cookies
Delete CookiesCookies are pieces of information stored by your web browser. If you have ever wondered how your login information is filled in automatically or how Amazon knows what products to recommend, Cookies are the answer. However, attackers may use the information you put into these Cookies for their own purposes. To protect yourself from this, simply go into your browser’s options and delete cookies regularly.
Photos
Be careful of what photos you put on the web! Remember that anyone, if they have the means to do so, can find any image that’s been uploaded to the internet, even if you’ve deleted it from its source. The best way to avoid this privacy concern is to simply not upload any photos you aren’t comfortable with the whole world seeing under any basis.
Phishing Scams
Phishing Scams are among the leading concerns in the areas of privacy and internet security. These scams have a legitimate appearance and usually come in the form of an e-mail, asking you to input personal information. The best way to avoid these kinds of scams is to check, double check, and triple check any e-mails you receive that ask for this kind of information. Remember, even though the e-mail might seem legitimate, the best attackers often wear the most innocent masks.
Public Forums
Public Forums, Social Boards, or Discussion Boards are a great place to talk about anything, from interest in movies to the world of sports. However, be careful when you input personal, private information when you sign up for these websites. Make sure the website is legitimate, and make sure that when you do sign up, you set your profile to hidden (This can usually be done under the “Edit My Profile” option). After all, if you do not follow these steps, it could be an easy task for anyone to acquire your name or e-mail address, which can lead to other privacy issues down the line.
ISP
Last but not least, your ISP may be the biggest concern for privacy. ISPs, or Internet Service Providers, have the ability to monitor your web browsing. Of course, like a bank that holds your money, privacy concerns are rarely an issue when dealing with trusted, legitimate businesses. However, even the most secure businesses aren’t immune to attack, so make sure your internet access is provided by a trustworthy source. If you have any concerns about this, feel free to call your ISP with any questions you might have.
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