Technology is amazing. It allows us to connect with people around the globe in ways we’ve never been able to before. Plus, it’s fun (and rewarding) to open up and express yourself. But sharing too much info on social media puts you at risk. Identity thieves utilize information you publicly share to find out more about your life. They can even use it to guess passwords and answer security challenge questions on your accounts. Jackpot! Now they have access to your financial information and other personal data –   ‘TMI’ on a whole other level.

Does that mean you should abandon all hope of a satisfying life online?

Nope. But it helps if you follow these tips:

1. On personal social networks, limit access to a small group of people.
2. Connect with people you know and reputable or “official” brands & public figures.
3. Never post your full name, Social Security number, address, phone number, account numbers, or passwords in publicly accessible sites.
4. Change your passwords on a regular basis to prevent them from being guessed. Use strong passwords that don’t include important birthdates or anniversaries. When setting new passwords, avoid using the names of loved ones, pets, schools you’ve attended, or street names where you’ve lived.

Resources:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0272-how-keep-your-personal-information-secure