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The internet enables all of us to improve our communication and erase the physical barriers.  It touches nearly every part of our lives from how we received our news or communicate with family members.  It has virtually replaced some things that were essential in our life such as phone books and encyclopedias as well as making our trips to the library less frequent if at all.

With the acceptance of these ever changing technologies comes in an increased skepticism.  You may assume that the same laws that govern our privacy in the 3-dimensional world apply to the digital world.  Unfortunately, the internet remains largely unregulated and policies are extremely underdeveloped.

With the U.S. Supreme c Court taking a “hands-off” approach in regulating the internet due to free speech, it is up to you to protect what information is available about you and your private matters.  With the recent boom of Wikileaks.org it proves that even our nation’s privacy isn’t 100% safe.

Knowing the proper way of navigating the internet is the only way of maintaining your privacy on the web.

1.       Keep your Antivirus, Anti-Malware and Firewalls current!  Symantec | Norton products will help keep you from visiting vulnerable or hacked websites that might infect your computer and ultimately relaying information about you to those who can possibly steal your identity, use your bank account information or even steal your credit card information without you even knowing that they are there.

2.       Search engines are a very easy way of inadvertently revealing pertinent information about you.  For example, you might search for your social security number and your name to see if it is posted for prying eyes to see.  If you are one to do this,the search engine like Google, Yahoo or Bing now have your social security number as well the IP address it was searched from.  Always keep in mind the internet world does in fact watch what you search for, where you visit and what you’re shopping for.

3.       You may have heard the term “cookies” in your travels.  Cookies are used to deposit data on your hard drive to make your internet browser easier for the end user?Examples include storing username, passwords such as an internet shopping cart or email login credentials. Although the typical cookie is safe and isn’t malicious in anyway, there are 3^rd party cookies that communicate this data to advertising agencies and other online marketers to better promote products to your demographic.  It is important for you to manage your cookies frequently to keep this transmission of data minimal. Not sure how to clean your computer adequately? Contact Citrus Computers today to keep your machine free of these potentials pests.

4.       With the increasing connection to our friends and family through means of Social Networking our internet privacy has never been weaker.  Many users post their complete address, phone numbers and even the very location they are eating! The worst part of all is that most of these users don’t see what type of potential harm they bring to themselves.  It’s important that you remember whatever items you post on these networks are now online for all eyes to see.  Look here for help on locking down your Facebook security settings. Use caution when posting the following information:

·         Photos and other media

·         Age and gender

·         Biographical information (education, employment history, hometown, etc.)

·         Status updates (also known as posts)

·         Contacts

·         Interests

·         Geographical location

5.       Avoid illegal activity and scams.  If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!  A foreign king will not be wiring any money your way and you haven’t found someone that wants to split their lotto winnings with you.  These scams are called Nigerian 419 letters and are advance-fee scams transmitted to millions of us every day through email.  These emails usually request money up front to pay for “taxes,” “attorney’s costs,” “bribes,” or “advance fees.”  Even though this scam seems far-fetched the FBI reports that the average financial loss is upwards of $3,000. Beware of these types of scams and don’t buy into this activity.

6.       With the introduction of online banking and now smartphone banking, it has never been easier for users to get instant access to their banking information.  Did you know that many consumer bank accounts protect their users up to $50 for an online theft as long as the consumer reports the loss within 60 days of the fraudulent activity?  Be mindful of who you are transmitting your information to and be aware that banking entities aren’t looking out for your best interest. Always use an encrypted secure connection when sending things like bank account numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, etc. Look to your browser’s status bar or address bar for a padlock symbol and make sure it is locked.

7.       Like to shop online?  Did you know that debit cards do not provide as much protection from fraud as credit cards?  If a criminal uses your debit card maliciously your account can potentially wiped out.  With a credit card you are able to see the charges before hand as well as dispute charges before they cause even more financial issues.

8.       Think before you click!  Don’t open unexpected email attachments from users you don’t know.  Also, remember that just because you received an email from a “friend,” doesn’t mean it actually is.  These scams are called “spoof” emails.  Typically, they will involve an obscure link to click on Avoid this at all costs.  These are usually “phishing” emails disguising themselves as a trustworthy entity to acquire sensitive information about you.

9.       One of the most essential items to guard is your wireless network, also called WiFi.  With more and more households wanting wireless freedom for internet, email and gaming, your information is floating around for any would be hacker to have the necessary tools to get into your network.  To ensure that your system is secure, review your user’s manuals and web resources for information on security. If you don’t feel comfortable, look upon Citrus Computers to come to your home or office to ensure your network is secured properly.

10.      Use the private browsing feature. Most browsers offer a private mode that blocks all cookies and does not keep a browser log. Citrus Computers suggests the newest releases of Internet Explorer 9.0 Beta, Mozilla Firefox 3.6.13, Google Chrome 8.0.552.224 or higher to help combat breadcrumb sniffing.

If you don’t want it public, don’t put it online!  No website or system is completely secure so keep your privacy and don’t post items like your address, phone number or that embarrassing picture at your company holiday party!

Additional Resources

Other nonprofit privacy organizations

Several nonprofit public interest groups advocate on behalf of online users. They also provide extensive information about privacy issues on their Web sites.

American Civil Liberties Union

Find your local ACLU chapter: www.aclu.org/affiliates/

Web : www.aclu.org

Electronic Frontier Foundation

454 Shotwell St., San Francisco, CA 94110

Voice: (415) 436-9333

E-mail: information@eff.org

Web : www.eff.org.

Electronic Privacy Information Center

1718 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009

Voice: (202) 483-1140

E-mail: epic-info@epic.org

Web : www.epic.org.

PrivacyActivism

E-mail: info@privacyactivism.org

Web : www.privacyactivism.org

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

3100 – 5th Ave., Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103

Voice: (619) 298-3396

Web: www.privacyrights.org.

World Privacy Forum

Voice: (760) 436-2489

E-mail: info2005@worldprivacyforum.org

Web: www.worldprivacyforum.org

Government agencies

Federal Trade Commission

600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20580

Web : www.ftc.gov/privacy/index.html

The FTC’s Onguard Online Web site offers tips for avoiding Internet fraud, securing your computer and ways to protect your personal information.   www.onguardonline.gov

Several federal agencies and public interest groups have sponsored the online Consumer Computer Privacy Guide at www.consumerprivacyguide.org. This site offers extensive tips, a glossary of terms, and video tutorials with step-by-step instructions on how to take advantage of privacy settings for the programs you use online.

Federal law enforcement and industry representatives have joined together to produce a Web site called Looks Too Good to Be True, which educates consumers about Internet scams. www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com

The U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (U.S. Cert) provides numerous computer security resources on its website at http://www.us-cert.gov/index.html.  It provides downloads to a number of valuable publications at http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/

Resources for parents and children

The Internet Education Foundation in cooperation with consumer groups and industry associations, has developed GetNetWise, a Web site for parents, children, and anyone wanting basic information on Internet safety. Visit this useful resource at www.getnetwise.org.

The FBI publishes a Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety, available at www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm.

The Federal Trade Commission offers extensive resources for children and parents. Visit www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/kidzprivacy/index.html. To learn more about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, go to www.ftc.gov/privacy/index.html.

See also PRC Fact Sheet 21, “Children in Cyberspace” at www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs21-children.htm.

Glossary Links

• GetNetWise, www.getnetwise.org/glossary
• UC Berkeley Library, www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Glossary.html
• CNET, www.cnet.com/Resources/Info/Glossary/index.html
• WebMonkey, www.Webmonkey.com/guides/glossary/

Symantec has released its latest Internet Security Threat Report (ISTR XV).  The report is a recap of all of the threats posed to businesses and consumers in 2009.  The ISTR is a great tool for SMBs to use in educating their employees on the threats that are plaguing businesses right now.  In addition to highlighting the report’s trends, Symantec has put together a list of tips for SMBs to protect themselves against the malicious threats documented in the ISTR.

Tips for how to Avoid Threats Described in the ISTR:

Threat: Credit card information was the most commonly advertised item for sale on underground economy servers known to Symantec for $0.85 to $30 per credit card number.

Advice for SMBs:Safeguard financial data:The numbers from Symantec’s ISTR XV show that more than ever, financial information is a hot commodity, particularly credit card data.  Be sure to implement an integrated security solution as well as information protection policies to safeguard your sensitive financial data as well as your customers’.  This includes bank and credit information stored on your computer ormobile device.  Sadly, SMBs’ bank accounts are not protected like those of consumers.  If an SMB’s financial data is compromised, it could mean the end of their business.
Threat: In 2009 physical theft or loss accounted for 37 percent of data breaches that could lead to identity theft—a decrease from 48 percent in 2008.

Advice for SMBs:Educate employees – do not leave devices where crooks can access them:Prevent a data breach by educating your employees on the importance of protecting their devices.  Good, common-sense best practices are part of the solution for protecting data.  Do not leave your mobile device lying around for others to pick it up.  Keep it on your person or in your sight at all times.  Also, deploy technology that delivers a unified solution to discover, monitor, and protect confidential data wherever it is stored or used.

Threat: Vulnerabilities of browser-based applications are the fastest-rising information security flaws for businesses. During 2009, Mozilla Firefox was the most targeted browser platform, whereas Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari took the longest to gain protection after a flaw was identified.

Advice for SMBs:Implement more than just antivirus:As the number and sophistication of Web-based viruses and malicious code continues to threaten businesses, SMBs need to be secured with more than just traditional antivirus technology. Policies and education need to be coupled with an integrated solution to protect information wherever it is accessed—from servers to desktops and laptops.  Install an integrated security suite solution that will prevent virus infection, block intruders, protect privacy, and stop malicious programs.  In addition, all network-connected computers and inbound/outbound traffic should be monitored for signs of unauthorized entry and malicious activity.

Threat: In 2009, spam made up 88 percent of all email observed by Symantec. The most common type of spam detected in 2009 was connected to Internet-related goods and services.

Advice for SMBs:Don’t be lured in by spammers and phishers:To shield themselves from cyber criminals, SMBs must deploy the proper email security solutions, including spam prevention that protects company reputation and manages risks.  It is important for SMBs to know to delete all spam and avoid clicking on suspicious links in email or IM messages. In addition, never open unknown email attachments, and do not fill out forms in messages that ask for personal or financial information or passwords. Spammers are using everything from current events to well-known companies and brands to give users a false sense of security when navigating through their email.
Threat: Hacking accounted for 60 percent of the identities exposed in 2009, a marked increase from 22 percent in 2008.

Advice for SMBs:Be aware!Awareness of the risks and available safeguards are the first lines of defense for the security of information systems and networks.  Technology alone cannot secure an organization. An organization’s workforce must understand information security issues and behave in a manner that minimizes risks.  Create and enforce policies that identify and restrict applications that can access your network and ensure employees follow best practices when they work remotely.