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Special Concern: Online Privacy
Chapter 8

While many suggestions have already been listed to protect your identity online there are a few areas that require special attention.

Email Fraud

Email fraud was thoroughly explained in the preceding chapter about steps to take to prevent identity fraud. Treat every unsolicited email with suspicion and exercise caution when sending information that contains personal or financial details through email.

Protect Your Computer

Computer viruses and spyware can enter your computer when you click on a link in an email or by accessing a website that downloads the program without your consent.

While no person can prevent all exposure to these viruses and spyware you can protect your computer by installing a firewall as well as purchasing anit-virus and anit-spyware programs that routinely search your computer and remove these threats.

Viruses can spread through your computer, corrupting files and information as well as being passed on to other people through your email. Spyware can track your movements on the internet as well as collect information that you enter while using the internet including passwords, banking information and personal data.

You may also download programs that appear safe but are hiding spyware or viruses. These programs are called Trojan Horses. Only download information from sites you know and trust.

Shop Securely

Online shopping is convenient but can also pose hazards for unwary buyers. While electronic exchange of funds makes buying online easier it is important to watch for signs of a secure site. Secure sites provide encryption of data so that others can’t view it or intercept it. This encryption is called SSL (Secure Socket Layers).

Look for security symbols such as a closed padlock on the bottom of your browser window and URLs that start with https instead of http.  Encryption that hides your sensitive information (like passwords, credit card numbers and other personal data) by displaying it as dots rather than the actual numbers or letters is another safety feature.

Check the Privacy Policy and only deal with reputable merchants. Check with the Better Business Bureau if you’re unsure. You may also consider third party payment processors (such as Paypal and ClickBank) which prevent the merchant from obtaining any financial information directly. Check the security status and privacy policies of any third party processor before making a transaction.  

Sharing Computers or Using Laptops

If you are sending personal information on a public or shared computer you must log out of the browser before ending your session. If you don’t log out another person may be able to use the back button on the browser to obtain your information. Empty cookies so other users will not be given your information if they access the same site.

Storing personal information on personal computers (especially laptops) can be dangerous if the computer is stolen or hacked (illegally accessed).  Don’t save sensitive passwords in programs that can auto-fill forms.

Online Forums and Chat Rooms

You may find that in the excitement of meeting new people and developing personal relationships in online forums and chat rooms you to forget the dangers of providing too much information.

In these social or business gatherings you may foster friendships within the group but it is important to remember that these areas are available to the public and individuals who are not making their presence known can still be ‘lurking’ on the forums and searching for personal pieces of information that are inadvertently expressed.

You never really know who you are talking to so it is wise to make it a habit to never reveal personal information such as your telephone number or address to these public groups.

Even if you are dealing with a private chat room you should exercise caution if you are not personally familiar with the individual(s) you are speaking too. Misrepresentation happens often enough to make it a real danger even for adults. Never send personal or financial information to individuals in a chat room or on a forum.

The anonyminity of the internet can cause people to say things online that they would never say in person. It is wise to avoid getting involved in heated debates (also called “flame wars” or “flaming” when directed to a particular individual). People online are just as real as those you meet in the flesh and saying something to incite another person can be just as dangerous online as offline.

Watch Where You’re Going

Don’t download anything when you don’t trust the source. Even if you are emailed or given a link in a chat room or forum you should be cautious. Look at the URL. Some links will directly download programs – including viruses – without your consent.

While using anti-virus and anti-spyware programs will help avoid problems they can’t catch everything. Know where you’re going and who is sending you.

When You Need Help…

If you need help dealing with online security issues including harassment or fraud you can contact the Cyber Law Enforcement Organization at: http://www.cyberlawenforcement.org/ or check out more information at http://www.wiredsafety.org/ or http://www.idtheftcenter.org/vresources.shtml.

 While these organizations have connections to legal or volunteer assistance you should contact your local police if you suspect your identity has been stolen or fear for your safety.

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(c) Dave Grooms 2005 - www.davegrooms.co.uk