Do I Really Need to Care About My Privacy Online?

We all know how important it is to protect our credit cards and passwords. 

But what about everything else? 

Like your digital data that you post on social media and blogs, or anywhere else for that matter. 

You are only enabling someone somewhere to track you further. Governments, Debt collectors, companies, potential employers and even old friends and family. Someone could even steal your identity even if you don’t think they can.  

Your data is sought-after lot of information by some companies looking at data research. Your age, gender, date of birth. What you are browsing, what you are sharing and what you are “liking” and even possibly your contact details. These can be used for Marketing purposed or compiled in lists sold to companies that can cold call you ad send you spam text messages. 

Stealing people’s identity is another way people use information. Think of the TV Show “catfish” This is a show based on people who meet online talk for a while then once they meet in real life. And generally, one of the people are not who they claim to be. 

We are in no way suggesting that you should be abstaining from the internet. But there are a few ways to protect your privacy further. 

• log out of websites every time when you're finished and before going to browse elsewhere online 

• go through each setting on Facebook to protect your identity  

• go to the Google Dashboard (if you have a Google account) to check what information is collected and alter your privacy settings. 

Do not: 

• use third-party social media sharing buttons on websites, such as news sites that ask for your Twitter, Facebook or other login details and that can post on your behalf 

• sign up to third-party apps, tools or games that want your personal information and can share on your behalf 

• sign in to other social networking sites and websites using your Twitter or Facebook profile as this links these profiles for potential cross-posting and cross-sharing of your movements.