Need to protect your personal information on the internet? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. It’s a fact that the internet can be a fun place to interact with others on social media, gaming platforms, forums, dating apps, and more.
At the same time, however, if you end up getting a little too comfortable, you might end up sharing too much personal information about yourself. And if that info gets into the wrong hands, you might become the victim of theft.
It’s scary to think about the fact that hackers and cyber criminals are out there, but it’s the harsh reality. Thankfully, though, there are steps you can take to protect your personal information online to help reduce the odds of becoming a victim. Check out the tips below to get started.
Remove Your Personal Information from Websites That Openly Share It
There are a lot of people search websites out there, and they all make it super easy to look up information on just about anyone. See for yourself by going to Spokeo and typing in your name. Do any listings appear that showcase your personal details, such as where you’re located, how old you are, and who you’re related to?
If you’re like most people, you might be shocked by just how much info is on this single website. To regain control, you can head to the Spokeo opt out page to let them know you don’t want them showcasing your personal information anymore.
Another website that is known for making it easy to find anyone is USPhoneBook. Once again, though, there is a way to alert them to the fact that you want to opt out of having your information shared on their platform, and all you have to do is go to the US Phonebook opt out page to begin.
Finally, another site that is worth checking is PeopleFinders, which also makes it easy to search for anyone’s contact details and background. Go to the People Finders opt out page right away so you don’t waste any time in letting them know that you want your listings taken down.
Set Up Multiple Email Addresses
One of the top tips for keeping your personal information safe on the internet is to set up more than one email address. That way, you can keep one email address for communicating with your friends and family, another for work related purposes, another for sensitive information related to things like banking and insurance, and another for fun things like newsletters.
By maintaining separate email addresses, and using a different password for each one, you might be able to reduce the odds that you’ll end up accidentally giving your email away to someone who wants to take advantage of your information in some way.
Be Cautious About What You Post on Social Media
Taking care to avoid sharing private details on social media is also key. It might be tempting to let all of your friends and connections know about what you are doing, where you are, where you are planning on going on vacation, etc. And you might even have shared your location, workplace, educational background, relationship status, and more on your profiles on platforms like Facebook.
If you’re concerned about privacy, and you want to keep your personal information safe from hackers, make sure that you take down private details, and avoid sharing them again in the future. Also, make it a point to keep your profiles private, and only connect with people you actually know personally rather than any stranger who requests to connect with you.
Watch this space for updates in the Hacks category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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