The start of the year is a great time to roll up your shirt sleeves and address personal privacy and security.
There’s a 1-in-3 chance of identity theft if your information has been part of a breach. For the 74 robberies every hour there are also 2,000 identity thefts (tinyurl.com/MATI-Jan17-1). Nearly half of the US population was hacked in some way in the space of one year (tinyurl.com/MATI-Jan17-2).
Ken crop webPasswords and logins. You’ve read the advice that your passwords shouldn’t be too simple or be repeated. CNET reports eight-character passwords using letters, numbers and special characters can be broken between six minutes and 5.5 hours — and that was four years ago (tinyurl.com/MATI-Jan17-3). Fortune cites studies that using longer passphrases like “ithinkChristmastreesareprettierwithaStar” are effective if you avoid song lyrics or poetry (tinyurl.com/MATI-Jan17-4). Two-step verification logins also increase security; when available, use them.
Another option is a password manager such as LastPass.com or Dashlane.com to help you avoid repeating logins. Consumer Affairs lists 10 with reviews and options available (tinyurl.com/MATI-Jan17-5).
Smartphones and tablets. Think of the private information on your devices. Digital Guardian has 101 tips to keeping information safe (tinyurl.com/tinyurl-com-MATI-Jan17-10). The Federal Communications Commission has further tips about Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections (tinyurl.com/MATI-Jan17-7).
Other steps to consider: Install HTTPS Everywhere (eff.org/https-everywhere) to encrypt your browsing and install MyPermissions (mypermissions.com, Android and iOS) to control app privacy settings.
Home networks. Unprotected, your home wireless network leaves personal information open to a drive-by hacker — literally. If you haven’t changed your router’s security information, it is still using a generic username and password. Activating encryption and updating the router firmware are just some of the other steps you can take. PC Mag (tinyurl.com/MATI-Jan17-8) has step-by-step instructions.
Social networks. SocialPilot shares security settings for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Pinterest (tinyurl.com/MATI-Jan17-9). By taking a few minutes on each network you use, you’ll control what personal information you are sharing and who can see your creative posts.
Ken Satterfield is a former media specialist and current marketing coordinator for Word&Way.
Read more:
How to Manage Privacy Settings on iPhone and iPad (iMore)
For Privacy and Security, Change These Android Settings Right Now (CNET)
How Do I Edit the Privacy and Settings for My Apps and Games? (Facebook)
Beware of Making Jesus Your Password (Christianity Today)
How to Stay More Anonymous Online (Panda Security)
