Protect your Privacy Online
If you use the Internet regularly, you are probably concerned with protecting your privacy.
Thanks to the Internet, your name, address, phone numbers, email address, home value, arrest
records, etc. are more accessible than ever. Increased access to personal data can result in
unwanted email, tracked online activity for marketing purposes, and theft.
To increase your online privacy:
- Look for the privacy policy. Many sites publish an
explanation of how they use personal information. Look for links such as Help, FAQ,
Customer Service, or Privacy and Security.
Privacy policies should answer the following questions:
- What kind of information do they collect?
- How do they use my information?
- Do they share my information with third parties?
- How do I access my information? How do I update or delete my information?
- How do I remove my information from email, phone, and postal mailing lists?
- Control your cookies. A cookie is a small file put on
your hard drive to collect personal data. Web sites use cookies to create "personalized"
web pages and advertising, faster online ordering, etc., but they also store personal
information and track your online activity.
Newer web browsers allow you to enable or disable cookies. Or, you can choose to be prompted
when a site wants to put a cookie on your computer. Check your browser's Help file for its
privacy and security functionality. Search your hard drive for files containing the word
"cookie" to view the cookies that are on your machine. To delete, right-click the file
and choose delete from the shortcut menu.
- Don't give out more data than necessary.
When filling out forms, fill out only the required fields (sometimes marked by an *asterisk*
or different color). If possible, "opt out" of sharing personal information with third
parties.
- Ensure secure transactions. Most
e-commerce web sites use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to transfer information
securely across the Internet. Once your browser connects to the web server, sensitive
information is "scrambled" while being exchanged. A third party can't intercept the data.
How can you be sure SSL in is effect?
Depending on your browser, if you see an unbroken key or lock symbol 
,
SSL is active, or
in effect. If you are using a Netscape browser, look at the lower left corner after
accessing the server. For Internet Explorer, look at the lower right corner after accessing
the server. Also, the first part of the URL will change from http:// to
https//:.
Double-click on the lock symbol to
view the security certificate. Make sure the "Issued to" and
the "Valid from" information is correct.