How Can You Protect Personal Information Gathered by Legitimate Organizations?

 

In the era of digitalization, it is important to be aware of how to protect your personal information. Personal information can be gathered by legitimate organizations through a variety of means, such as social media, surveys, and loyalty programs. There are a few simple steps you can take to protect your personal information.

Who is gathering your personal information?

Your personal information is being gathered by a variety of organizations, both legitimate and illegitimate. While some organizations may have your best interests at heart, others may be gathering your information for nefarious purposes. Here are some tips for protecting your personal information:

 

How is your personal information being used?

Your personal information is being used in ways you might not expect. Here are some examples of how your personal data is being used:

-To sell products and services: Companies are using your personal information to create targeted ads and sell products and services. They may even sell your information to other companies.

-To track your behavior: Companies are also using your personal information to track your behavior online. They may use this data to target ads or sell it to other companies.

-For research: Universities and other organizations may use your personal information for research purposes. They may share this data with other organizations or use it to target ads.

-To fraud you: Fraudsters can use your personal information to commit identity theft or other types of fraud. They may also sell your information to other criminals.

What are the risks of not protecting your personal information?

There are a number of risks associated with not protecting your personal information. These include identity theft, fraud, and malicious attacks.

Identity theft is a major concern. If your personal information is stolen, it can be used to open new accounts, make purchases, or even obtain a loan in your name. This can ruin your credit rating and leave you with significant financial problems.

Fraud is another risk. If you provide your personal information to a fraudulent organization, they may use it to steal your money or commit other crimes.

Finally, if you do not protect your personal information, you may be the target of malicious attacks. Hackers may try to access your accounts or steal your data in order to sell it on the black market. This can lead to financial losses and damage to your reputation.

Related: Why is It Not Safe To Connect To Public Wi-fi Networks?

How can you protect your personal information?

In an age where data breaches are becoming more common, it's important to be proactive about protecting your personal information. Here are a few steps you can take to safeguard your data:

1. Keep your social media profiles private. This means setting your account to "Friends Only" or "Private." That way, only people you know and trust will have access to your information.

2. Be careful about what you post online. Once something is posted, it's out there for good. So think twice before sharing sensitive information like your home address or phone number on a public forum.

3. Use strong passwords for all your online accounts. A strong password is at least eight characters long and includes a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessed words like "password" or your birthdate.

4. Only use secure websites when shopping. You can tell if a website is secure by looking for the lock symbol on your browser or by looking at the URL. If you see "https," it's secure; if you don't, it isn't.

5. Be careful on social media. If you're using a public computer, don't log into your bank account or other sensitive accounts. Also, never post sensitive information like birthdays and addresses. 

6. Check your bank statements regularly. If you notice anything wrong, report it immediately. You don't want criminals to have access to your accounts or steal your money. If you suspect fraudulent activity, contact the bank immediately.

7. Never give out personal information. Personal information shouldn't be shared when buying products online, such as a credit card number or Social Security number.

8. Be wary of unsolicited emails and phone calls. If you get an email or phone call that you weren't expecting, don't click on any links or attachments. It could be a threat to your computer or identity. 

9. Don't give out personal information unless you know who you're talking to. If someone asks for your Social Security number or credit card number, be suspicious and never give that information over the phone or through email. 

10. Be careful with how you handle your mail. Don't leave mail sitting in a mailbox or on your porch. Don't give out personal information on the phone if you've received an unsolicited call. 

11. Keep your software and operating system up to date.

12. Protect your personal information. Delete sensitive data from your computer, shred documents and make sure you have a secure hard drive on your computer.

13.Use Google authenticator app for protection. It generates a new code every 30 seconds to provide extra security. Google also provides a website at https://www.google.com/landing/2step/ that can generate a code on your computer.

14. Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi. Criminals can easily set up a fake network to steal information.

15. If you are not planning on using your computer for a long time, make sure you fully power down the system and unplug it from the wall.

16. Turn on two-step verification on your mobile devices.

17. Install antivirus software and make sure it is up to date.

18. Be careful what information you share online, even if you may think it is private or unimportant.

19. Use unique passwords for each of your accounts.

By taking these steps, individuals can help protect their personal information from being mishandled or accessed without permission.

 

There are various risks from attacks on wi-fi networks. These include all of the following except ____.

There are various risks from attacks on wi-fi networks. These include all of the following except for unauthorized access to confidential information, denial of service attacks, and man-in-the-middle attacks.

Conclusion:

Most people are aware that it's important to protect personal information, but may not know how to go about doing so. The best way to protect personal information is to be proactive and understand what data is being collected, why it's being collected, and how it will be used.

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