Online Privacy Tips from New York Times Upfront

Online Privacy Tips from New York Times Upfront
 Keeping personal information private is difficult in the Internet age. 
These do’s and don’ts from experts will help. 


1. Think before posting—or clicking send.
Once it’s online, it’s public. Even if you delete a comment, photo, status update, or profile, social media sites store it. And once you send an e-mail or text, you have no control over where it gets forwarded.
2. Don’t overshare.
Every time you post a photo or status update on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, try to look at it through the eyes of your teachers, college admissions officers, or job recruiters who will someday review your applications.
3. Choose your virtual friends carefully.
Accepting friend requests on Facebook from people you don’t know well is dangerous. Once you’re “friends,” they have access to whatever you post online.
4. Check your privacy settings.
Make sure your information is protected. You can turn off the tracking feature on your Web browser. Google Chrome, for example, has a “Do Not Track” button on its browser, and Microsoft Explorer 10 makes “Do Not Track” the default setting. In the Tools menu, Firefox allows you to browse privately without logging your history—a particularly good idea if you’re using a shared computer.
Facebook allows you to review and reject photo-tag suggestions, as well as choose who writes on your timeline and who can see what you and others post. But be careful: Privacy settings change all the time. Try to keep up to date.

5. To blog or not to blog?
If you keep a blog, always be cautious about what
you write. High school students have been suspended for racist and otherwise inappropriate blog posts and tweets. Adults have lost their jobs for the same reasons. Whatever you write can be used against you.
6. Use strong passwords.
Try to come up with passwords that are at least 8 to 10 characters long. Ideally, they should also include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Try not to use the same password for multiple sites.
7. Keep private on public computers.
When you use public computers, for example, at your school’s library or computer lab, remember to always sign off your e-mail or social media accounts. If you don’t, the next user could log in as you. Also, keep in mind that on a public computer, other users may see the websites you’ve visited as well as what you’ve downloaded or printed.
8. Don’t shop using free Wi-Fi.
Never buy anything online when you’re connected to free Wi-Fi hot spots like the ones you find at Starbucks. Your credit card information, as well as your passwords, are much more vulnerable to hackers.
9. Use security software.
Keep it on even when playing games on your computer. Though they can slow down your Internet connection, security software programs such as Norton Antivirus protect your computer from hackers and viruses.
10. Google yourself!
Keep up with what people are saying about you, especially on Facebook and Twitter.