EMPOWER - Module 8 - Using Information

What About Privacy?

Your Information's Privacy & Security are Very Important.

Online Tips...

• Never share your Social Security number
• Always use strong passwords. Make sure they are:
  • Private
  • Regularly Changed
  • Unique
• Always log out of your accounts after using a public computer.
• Do not post too much about yourself.
  • Posts detailing personal information can be used to answer password challenge questions!
• Remember that everything you post is stored somewhere permanently
  • This is true even if you:
    • Use strong privacy settings on your accounts
    • Delete posts
• Unless you initiated the interaction, never give your information by:
  • Phone
  • Email
  • Website Form
• Avoid clicking links in emails, especially requesting personal information
  • Open a browser and check your account for problems directly
  • Locate the customer service contact information directly from their website and confirm they sent the email
• Consider using different emails or devices for different purposes (i.e. school/work, shopping, financial)
• Before sending personal information on a website, look for indications that it is encrypted:
  •  A icon in your browser's status bar
  • URLs beginning with https
• Use reputable platforms for shopping

Device Security Tips...

• Always log off and/or lock your devices
• Never leave your devices unattended
• Make sure your devices have an activated and regularly updated:
  • Anti-virus software
  • Anti-spyware software
  • Firewall on your devices
• If sent by strangers, never open or download:
  • Files
  • Links
  • Applications/Programs
• If sent by those you know, be cautious opening files etc.; they may have been hacked
• When sending personal information use:
  • Encrypted websites
  • Secure wireless networks
• Do not entrust your information to the security of public Wi-Fi

Offline Tips...

• Print private information on public printers only when necessary
  • Make sure you know which printer you are sending it to before you print
  • Retrieve your printed document immediately
• Secure all you financial documents and records
• Only carry the cards you need, leaving the rest at home
• Shred important documents when you no longer need them:
  • Receipts
  • Credit applications
  • Insurance and health documents
  • Financial records
• Opt out of pre-screened offers for: (see link below)
  • Credit
  • Insurance
• Request and review your credit reports every year (see link below)

Additional Resources...