The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises us all to make sure our transactions — online and off — are secure and our personal information is protected. The FTC offers these tips to encourage you to manage your personal information wisely, and to help lower its misuse.
Before you give any personally identifying information, find out how it will be used and if it will be shared with others. Ask about privacy polices: do you have a choice about the use of your information; can you choose to have it kept confidential? Read the privacy policy on any website that is directed to children. Websites directed to children or that knowingly collect information from kids under 13 must post a notice of their information collection practices.
Put passwords on your all your accounts, including your credit card account, and your bank and phone accounts. Avoid using typical information — like your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SSN, or your phone number — or obvious choices, like a series of consecutive numbers or your hometown football team. Don’t put all your identifying information in one holder in your purse, briefcase, or backpack.
Sat, Sep 12, 2009
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