Security & Privacy

Protect Yourself

Use privacy settings to restrict who can see and post on your profile.

Many social networking sites, chat rooms, and blogs have privacy settings. Find out how to turn these settings on, and limit your online friends to people you actually know.

Learn about location-based services.

Many phones have GPS technology, and there are applications that let you find out where your friends are — and let them find you. Set your privacy settings so that only people you know personally can see your location. Think about keeping location-based services off, and turning them on only when needed. Ask yourself, “does this app need to know where I am?”

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Protect Your Information

Some information should stay private.

Your social security number should remain private, as well as family information such as bank account or credit card numbers.

Keep your passwords private.

The longer your password, the harder it is to crack. Don’t share your passwords with anybody, including your best friends, your boyfriend or your girlfriend.

Don’t reply to text, email or pop-up messages that ask you to reply with personal information.

Even if the message looks like it’s from a friend, family member or company you know, or threatens that something bad will happen if you don’t reply, do not open the message. These messages may be scams and sent to steal your information.

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Protect Your Computer

Learn about security software and how your home computer is protected.

Be cautious about opening attachments or clicking on links.

They may contain viruses or spyware.

Sometimes free stuff like games, ring tones or screen savers can hide viruses or spyware.

Don’t download free stuff unless you trust the source and can scan the file with security software.

Whether it’s your laptop, tablet or phone, don’t leave it in public — even for a minute.

If any of these items go missing, all of your important information may fall into the wrong hands.