Giving out information
After protecting your identity by
using a screen name, avoiding profiles, using an email address
that conceals your identity, and avoiding posting your pictures
for the world to see, you have to also be careful of what you
say when you are online. We commonly give out too much
information in our general conversation, without even realizing
it.
The weather is a common topic of
conversation. It’s a great way to get a conversation going. But
do you realize that when you tell someone what the weather is
like where you are, you are giving them information that will
help them locate you? The Weather Channel tells us what the
weather is doing all over the world!
Mentioning that you are going to a
specific concert on a specific night might give too much
information about your location as well. People can easily look
to see where that particular group is performing that night. The
group can only be in one place at one time. You said the XYZ
band was giving a concert tomorrow night, and that you would be
attending. Someone who is trying to get your identity goes and
looks at the XYZ website, looks at concert dates, and sees that
tomorrow nights concert is in Dallas, Texas. Too much
information! The Dallas area is big, and you might not be from
Dallas, but now, they know that you are most likely in the state
of Texas, and probably in the eastern part of the state. They
are getting closer. You also said that there was a bad
thunderstorm rolling in. Well, Dallas weather doesn’t show any
storms – but there is a bad thunderstorm about to hit another
town close to Dallas. Bingo. Then, they can use other methods to
verify their information – such as your IP number.
Look at things from an identity
thief’s point of view. You don’t realize it at the time, but
everything you say is being monitored and picked apart for
useful information. The weather, a concert – did you also tell
them that you are a student, and what you are majoring in? The
weather and the concert helped narrow it down; now, they will be
looking at colleges in the area that offer the course of study
you are majoring in. Did you mention that classes start next
week? They will be looking to see what dates classes start for
the colleges in your area that are offering your course of
study. They will be keeping careful notes, and transcripts of
all conversations.
Have you mentioned your favorite
sports teams? People commonly choose teams from their home state
as their favorite teams. This is information a thief can use.
You have to be incredibly careful with the information you are
giving out, no matter how innocent that information seems to be.
Sometimes, it makes it hard to have a conversation with anyone
online, but if being cautious becomes a habit, it really isn’t
so hard to protect yourself. You can still talk about things
that affect your life, as long as you aren’t allowing any
identifiable information to enter the conversation.
Security Checklist. Check if you have enough
protection
10 Steps to Protect Yourself and
Your Family
