Guide to Protecting Personal Information Online
Written by: University of Tulsa • Jan 4, 2024
Guide to Protecting Personal Information Online ¶
Between 2018 and 2022, the FBI received 3.26 million complaints of internet crime. The incidents spared no age group, with a 2021 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report indicating that both young and older adults reported fraud related to online activities that ranged from shopping to job seeking.
Individuals between the ages of 18 and 59 were 34% more likely to report incidents of online fraud than older adults, the FTC report shows, but older adults incurred the greatest financial loss. In fact, the FBI notes that online fraud victims over 60 lost an average of $35,101 per person in 2022.
Whether they are younger people who often are more active online or older adults who are perceived to be less tech-savvy, all individuals who use the internet can become the target of cybercriminals who want to steal their personal data. With the Pew Research Center reporting in 2021 that 93% of American adults use the internet, everyone needs to learn how to protect personal information online.
What Personal Information Should Be Protected Online? ¶
Personal information encompasses all the details that others can use to identify someone. Certain individuals who gain access to this data, often referred to as personally identifiable information (PII), may do so for beneficial purposes. It can be helpful, for example, when companies use information like someone’s gender or location to help tailor products or services to meet that person’s needs. But others use the information to commit crimes.
Individuals may voluntarily share their personal information — when they complete online forms, for example — or they may unknowingly provide the information, such as when they take an action that allows someone to break into their computer system.
Examples of Personal Information ¶
Personal information includes a broad range of details, from where someone lives to what medical concerns they have. The information can be publicly accessible, as with names and addresses, or private, as in the case of social security numbers or passwords.
With private information such as passwords and credit card numbers, others can identify a person or access their networks or accounts. In the case of more general information, such as a person’s city or gender, a cybercriminal can use the information to piece together or sell data that can be used to steal their identity or gain access to their accounts.
Examples of personal information include:
- Telephone number
- Birth date
- Work history
- Race or ethnicity
- DNA data
- Health history
- Social security number
- Credit and debit card numbers
- Personal identification numbers (PINs)
Why Should People Protect Personal Information Online? ¶
With the variety of tools and products that now use the internet, from smartphones and laptop computers to medical monitoring devices and security cameras, people share volumes of personal information online — knowingly or unknowingly. This means there is a significant risk that sensitive data will fall into the hands of cybercriminals.
Cybersecurity company IT Governance reported that there had been more than 4.5 billion records compromised globally due to online data breaches from January through September of 2023. The consequences of these breaches can be catastrophic for those whose personal information is stolen.
10 Uses for Stolen Personal Information ¶
The FBI’s 2022 report on internet crime shows that Americans had reported losses of $27.6 billion due to this type of incident over the previous five years. While finances are a significant concern when protecting personal information online, people’s personal information can also be used for other fraudulent actions — including stealing their identity. Following are 10 ways stolen personal information can be used:
- Assuming the victim’s identity to apply for a credit card
- Posing as that person to apply for loans
- Gaining access to the victim’s bank and retirement accounts
- Requesting money from the victim’s online contacts
- Applying for a job or renting an apartment in the other person’s name
- Locking the individual out of their own accounts
- Seeking tax returns by filing tax forms in the victim’s name
- Applying for identification such as a driver’s license or passport as the victim
- Sharing the victim’s information as their own when arrested
- Selling information such as credit card numbers and health care data on the dark web, a part of the internet commonly used for illegal activity like blackmail and extortion
How Criminals Steal Personal Information Online ¶
Whether they are tricking people into providing data or finding ways to access the information without the user’s knowledge, criminals use a variety of methods to collect individuals’ personal details online. Common tools and techniques for gaining unauthorized access to personal information on the internet include:
In a practice called phishing, scammers steal people’s personal information through emails or other online messages that contain what may appear to be legitimate requests for personal account information — but are not. Or the messages might contain links that resemble those connecting to reputable sites. When users click on the links, however, malicious software, known as malware, is installed on their computers that can provide access to the victim’s personal data, such as their credit card numbers or bank account login information.
Social Media ¶
People’s social media profiles often provide a host of personal information — from the individual’s name and location to their job and work schedule. Photos posted to social media can contain clues about this type of data as well. Cybercriminals can collect this information to help them determine passwords to people’s online accounts, or they can gather personal data to sell to others.
Public Wi-Fi ¶
The Wi-Fi that people use to connect to the internet at public locations like coffee shops, libraries, and airports often lacks robust security. Using this type of service can leave people vulnerable to those who exploit this weak protection to gain access to others’ networks and the personal information on them.
Online Shopping ¶
When people provide personal information, including credit or debit card details, during online purchases, they are taking a risk that the data could fall into the wrong hands. People might steal an individual’s information using phishing or malware, or they might gain access through public Wi-Fi networks. Cybercriminals also may steal the personal information of hundreds or thousands of people through data breaches at banks or retailers.
Resources: Dangers of Online Data Theft ¶
Following are resources that provide more information about online data theft and its risks:
- Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC): The 2022 “Trends in Identity Report” from nonprofit organization Identity Theft Resource Center provides data about the number and types of various crimes, including online attacks, that involve identity theft.
- FTC: This federal agency’s “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2022” is a compilation of data about fraud during that year, including theft of personal information online, and the losses incurred as a result of those incidents.
- Statista: This data and business intelligence service offers a variety of statistics about personal information compromises between 2006 and 2023 and the damage they have caused.
- Tech.co: This tech research organization provides a list of large-scale data breaches that occurred in 2022 and 2023, with information about the tactics the cybercriminals employed and the outcomes of the data thefts.
How to Protect Personal Information Online ¶
According to a 2022 report from the World Economic Forum, 95% of cybersecurity issues are the result of human error. So what precautions can people take to safeguard themselves against the mistakes that can lead to the theft of their personal information — and the harm that unauthorized access can cause?
Following are nine internet safety tips to help in protecting personal information online.
1. Use Security Controls ¶
The first step in protecting personal information online concerns what often is the last line of defense: security controls. For everything from work-from-home safety to online shopping protection, the following are among the security measures that individuals can employ to fend off would-be cybercriminals:
- Antivirus software — Helps protect against malware that can allow unauthorized users to gain access to personal information
- Encryption — Scrambles data transmissions for any user who does not have a designated code to access the information
- Two-factor authentication — Requires two or more layers of user verification, including a one-time code
- Virtual private network (VPN) — Safeguards the privacy of data by creating an encrypted link between a device and server
2. Create Strong Passwords ¶
Passwords for devices and accounts should be difficult to guess, avoiding characters that relate to personal information such as birth dates and addresses. These passwords should contain lowercase and uppercase letters as well as numbers and symbols.
3. Recognize Signs of Phishing ¶
People can protect themselves from data theft by casting a wary eye on emails, texts, and other digital messages that could be phishing scams. Any of the following characteristics could be indicators of phishing messages:
- Requests sensitive information: Asks for personal data, including information someone could use to access networks or accounts
- Contains inconsistent addresses or links: Provides hyperlinks or email addresses that differ slightly from those of legitimate organizations
- Includes attachments: Encourages the user to download unrequested attachments, which could contain malware
- Uses poor grammar: Includes obvious writing mistakes that professional organizations would edit before sending
- Conveys a sense of urgency: Features messages that indicate the recipient must take immediate action to avoid some type of threat or take advantage of a reward
4. Perform Regular Updates ¶
Internet users should keep their operating systems and software up to date. Updates often include security patches and enhancements that protect against the latest threats to data safety.
5. Keep Social Media Private ¶
Those who share information and photos on social media should activate the setting that restricts who has access to their posts. This action blocks those who are searching for personal information posted on social media accounts.
6. Remove Old Accounts ¶
Corporate data breaches can compromise people’s personal information, even if they no longer use those accounts. Anyone with unused accounts with retailers, financial institutions, or other organizations that could have personal information should delete them.
7. Protect Internet Browsing ¶
Many internet search engines offer options that allow users to browse privately, without others tracking which sites they visit. In some cases, users can erase their browsing history and searches while they’re online.
8. Explore Data Broker Sites ¶
Data broker sites, such as Intelius and Whitepages, are repositories of individuals’ personal information. They present data culled from online sources such as:
- Public records
- Website and app use
- Social media accounts
To request that these sites remove information, individuals can visit those sites and find the form to opt out. They also may use paid services to request data removal.
9. Protect Other Internet-Connected Devices ¶
Because the items that connect people to the internet go beyond computers and smartphones, people need to be mindful of the broad range of devices that must be protected against information theft. Routers allow access to data on a host of other devices and tools, so establishing a unique password and keeping security up to date for those devices should be a priority.
Resources: How to Protect Personal Information Online ¶
The following articles and guides provide additional details and tips for protecting personal information online:
- “14 Things You Should Never Do When Using Public Wi-Fi” — This Reader’s Digest article lists actions that people using public Wi-Fi should take — and avoid — to protect their personal data.
- “How to Protect Personal Information Online: A Simplified Guide” — This article, from security software company Norton, outlines best practices for online protection.
- “Online Safety Basics” — This National Cybersecurity Alliance article outlines actions that people can take to protect themselves and their loved ones from data theft.
- Protecting Your Privacy Online — This FTC resource offers links to tips for safeguarding personal information, including health data, as well as devices connected to the internet.
What Should a Person Do if Their Personal Information Is Stolen? ¶
What if, despite an individual’s best efforts to protect their personal information online, they suspect that someone has accessed their private data to steal their identity or money?
Individuals who believe their personal information has been stolen have several options as far as what steps to take next and where to report the suspected crime. Following are some resources that describe where to turn and what to do:
- Motley Fool — This article gives step-by-step instructions for what people should do if they believe someone has stolen their identity.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — This federal bureau provides answers to questions about online scams, including what people should do if they believe their personal information has been compromised.
- FBI — People who believe they are victims of online fraud can report the issue to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- FTC — This FTC resource lists signs that indicate online messages are scams and links to a site for reporting fraud. The agency also offers a site for reporting fraud involving identity theft.
Take Precautions for Protecting Personal Information Online ¶
With the proliferation of devices that connect to the internet — and their widespread use — everyone needs to learn how to protect personal information online. By keeping in mind what information to safeguard and how to ensure its protection, people can be confident about their privacy as they take advantage of the many services and conveniences available online.
"Kulingana na ripoti ya ""Mwongozo wa kulinda habari za kibinafsi mtandaoni"" iliyochapishwa na Chuo Kikuu cha Tulsa, Marekani, mnamo Januari 4, 2020, FBI ilipokea malalamiko milioni 3.26 ya uhalifu wa mtandao." "Hii ni kwa sababu ripoti ya Tume ya Biashara ya Shirikisho ya Marekani (FTC) ya mwaka 2021 ilionyesha kuwa watu wazima vijana na wazee waliripoti udanganyifu unaohusiana na shughuli za mtandaoni ambazo zilitofautiana kutoka ununuzi hadi kutafuta kazi. """ Watu wenye umri wa kati ya miaka 18 na 59 walikuwa na uwezekano mkubwa wa kuripoti matukio ya udanganyifu mtandaoni kuliko watu wazima, lakini watu wazima walipata hasara kubwa zaidi ya kifedha. FBI inasema kuwa waathirika wa ulaghai wa mtandaoni zaidi ya miaka 60 walipoteza wastani wa $ 35,101 kwa mtu mmoja mnamo 2022. "Watu vijana ambao mara nyingi ni ""watendaji"" mtandaoni au watu wazima ambao wanaonekana kuwa ""wasio na ujuzi wa teknolojia,"" watu wote wanaotumia mtandao wanaweza kuwa shabaha ya wahalifu wa mtandao ambao wanataka kuiba data zao za kibinafsi." Kulingana na Pew Research Center, asilimia 93 ya watu wazima wa Marekani hutumia mtandao, na kila mtu anahitaji kujifunza jinsi ya kulinda habari zake binafsi mtandaoni. Ni Habari Gani za Kibinafsi Zinazopaswa Kulindwa Mtandaoni? Habari za kibinafsi ni maelezo yote ambayo wengine wanaweza kutumia kutambua mtu. Watu fulani ambao hupata upatikanaji wa data hii, mara nyingi inajulikana kama habari ya kibinafsi (PII), wanaweza kufanya hivyo kwa madhumuni ya faida. Hii inaweza kuwa muhimu, kwa mfano, wakati makampuni hutumia habari kama jinsia au eneo la mtu kusaidia kubadili bidhaa au huduma ili kukidhi mahitaji ya mtu huyo. Lakini wengine hutumia habari hiyo kufanya uhalifu. Watu binafsi wanaweza kujitolea kushiriki habari zao za kibinafsi wakati wao kujaza fomu online, kwa mfano, au wanaweza bila kujua kutoa taarifa, kama vile wakati wao kuchukua hatua ambayo inaruhusu mtu kuvunja katika mfumo wao wa kompyuta. Maelezo ya kibinafsi ni habari ya kibinafsi ambayo inajumuisha maelezo mbalimbali, kutoka kwa mahali ambapo mtu anaishi hadi wasiwasi wa matibabu. Habari inaweza kuwa ya umma, kama vile majina na anwani, au binafsi, kama ilivyo katika kesi ya nambari za usalama wa kijamii au nywila. Kwa kutumia habari za kibinafsi kama vile nywila na nambari za kadi za mkopo, watu wengine wanaweza kumtambua mtu au kupata mitandao au akaunti zake. Katika kesi ya habari ya jumla, kama vile mji wa mtu au jinsia, mhalifu wa mtandao anaweza kutumia habari hiyo kuunganisha au kuuza data ambayo inaweza kutumika kuiba utambulisho wao au kupata ufikiaji wa akaunti zao. Mifano ya habari za kibinafsi ni pamoja na: Nambari ya simu, tarehe ya kuzaliwa, historia ya kazi, jamii au ukabila, data ya DNA, historia ya afya, nambari ya usalama wa kijamii, nambari za kadi za mkopo na debit, nambari za kitambulisho cha kibinafsi (PINs), na data ya DNA. """Kwa aina mbalimbali za vifaa na bidhaa ambazo sasa zinatumia mtandao, kuanzia simu mahiri na kompyuta ndogo hadi vifaa vya uchunguzi wa matibabu na kamera za usalama, watu wanashiriki kiasi kikubwa cha habari za kibinafsi mtandaoni, wakijua au bila kujua." Hii inamaanisha kuna hatari kubwa kwamba data nyeti itaanguka mikononi mwa wahalifu wa mtandao. Kampuni ya usalama wa mtandao IT Governance iliripoti kuwa zaidi ya rekodi bilioni 4.5 zimeharibiwa ulimwenguni kote kutokana na uvunjaji wa data mtandaoni kuanzia Januari hadi Septemba 2023. Matokeo ya uvunjaji huu yanaweza kuwa mbaya kwa wale ambao habari zao za kibinafsi zimeibiwa. Ripoti ya FBI ya mwaka wa 2022 juu ya uhalifu wa mtandao inaonyesha kuwa Wamarekani waliripoti hasara ya $ 27.6 bilioni kwa sababu ya aina hii ya tukio katika miaka mitano iliyopita. Wakati fedha ni wasiwasi mkubwa wakati wa kulinda habari za kibinafsi mtandaoni, habari za kibinafsi za watu zinaweza pia kutumika kwa vitendo vingine vya udanganyifu - pamoja na kuiba utambulisho wao. "Kuna njia kumi ambazo habari za kibinafsi zilizoibiwa zinaweza kutumiwa: ""Kujitambulisha"" kama mhasiriwa ili kuomba kadi ya mkopo, ""Kujitambulisha"" kama mtu huyo ili kuomba mkopo, ""Kupata upatikanaji wa akaunti za benki na za kustaafu za mhasiriwa,"" ""Kuomba pesa kutoka kwa mawasiliano ya mtandaoni ya mhasiriwa,"" ""Kuomba taarifa za kodi kwa kuwasilisha fomu za kodi kwa jina la mhasiriwa,"" ""Kujitambulisha kama leseni ya kuendesha gari au pasipoti kama mtu binafsi,"" ""Kuchanganya habari za mhasiriwa kama zao wenyewe wakati wa kukamatwa.""" Vifaa na mbinu za kawaida za kupata upatikanaji usioidhinishwa wa habari za kibinafsi kwenye mtandao ni pamoja na: Katika mazoezi yanayoitwa phishing, wadanganyifu huiba habari za kibinafsi za watu kupitia barua pepe au ujumbe mwingine wa mtandaoni ambao una kile kinachoonekana kuwa ombi halali la habari za akaunti ya kibinafsi lakini sio. Pia, ujumbe huo unaweza kuwa na viungo vinavyofanana na viungo vinavyounganisha kwenye tovuti zenye sifa nzuri. Hata hivyo, watumiaji wanapobonyeza viungo, programu mbaya, inayojulikana kama programu hasidi, huwekwa kwenye kompyuta zao ambazo zinaweza kutoa upatikanaji wa data za kibinafsi za mhasiriwa, kama vile nambari za kadi zao za mkopo au habari za kuingia kwa akaunti ya benki. Media ya Jamii # Profili za media za kijamii za watu mara nyingi hutoa habari nyingi za kibinafsi - kutoka kwa jina na eneo la mtu binafsi hadi kazi yao na ratiba ya kazi. Picha zilizochapishwa kwenye mitandao ya kijamii zinaweza kuwa na vidokezo kuhusu aina hii ya data pia. Wahalifu wa mtandao wanaweza kukusanya habari hii ili kuwasaidia kuamua nywila za akaunti za watu mtandaoni, au wanaweza kukusanya data ya kibinafsi ili kuuza kwa wengine. Wi-Fi ya umma - Wi-Fi ambayo watu hutumia kuunganisha kwenye mtandao katika maeneo ya umma kama vile maduka ya kahawa, maktaba, na viwanja vya ndege mara nyingi haina usalama thabiti. Kutumia huduma hii inaweza kuwafanya watu wawe hatarini kwa wale wanaotumia ulinzi huu dhaifu kupata ufikiaji wa mitandao ya wengine na habari za kibinafsi juu yao. """Wakati watu hutoa habari za kibinafsi, ikiwa ni pamoja na maelezo ya kadi ya mkopo au debit, wakati wa ununuzi wa mtandaoni, wanachukua hatari kwamba data inaweza kuanguka katika mikono isiyofaa." Watu wanaweza kuiba habari ya mtu binafsi kwa kutumia phishing au programu hasidi, au wanaweza kupata upatikanaji kupitia mitandao ya umma ya Wi-Fi. Wahalifu wa mtandao wanaweza pia kuiba habari za kibinafsi za mamia au maelfu ya watu kupitia uvunjaji wa data katika benki au wauzaji. "Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, ""Kituo cha Rasilimali cha Wizi wa Utambulisho (ITRC) "" ni ripoti ya mwaka wa 2021 ya ""Mwelekeo wa Uamuzi wa Uamuzi"" kutoka kwa shirika lisilo la faida la IDRC, na hutoa data kuhusu idadi na aina za uhalifu mbalimbali, ikiwa ni pamoja na mashambulizi ya mtandaoni, ambayo yanahusisha wizi wa utambulisho." "Kifungu cha ""Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2022"" cha shirika hili la shirikisho ni mkusanyiko wa data kuhusu udanganyifu wakati wa mwaka huo, ikiwa ni pamoja na wizi wa habari za kibinafsi mtandaoni, na hasara zilizopatikana kama matokeo ya matukio hayo." Statista ni huduma ya data na ujasusi wa biashara ambayo inatoa takwimu mbalimbali kuhusu uharibifu wa habari za kibinafsi kati ya 2006 na 2023 na uharibifu ambao umesababisha. Tech.co: Shirika hili la utafiti wa teknolojia hutoa orodha ya uvunjaji mkubwa wa data uliofanyika mnamo 2022 na 2023, na habari kuhusu mbinu ambazo wahalifu wa mtandao walitumia na matokeo ya wizi wa data. "Kulingana na ripoti ya mwaka wa 2022 kutoka kwa Mkutano wa Kiuchumi wa Dunia, ""95% ya masuala ya usalama wa mtandao ni matokeo ya makosa ya binadamu.""" Kwa hivyo ni tahadhari gani watu wanaweza kuchukua kujilinda dhidi ya makosa ambayo yanaweza kusababisha wizi wa habari zao za kibinafsi - na madhara ambayo ufikiaji usioidhinishwa unaweza kusababisha? Hapa chini ni vidokezo tisa vya usalama wa mtandao kusaidia katika kulinda habari za kibinafsi mtandaoni. 1. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Hatua ya kwanza katika kulinda habari za kibinafsi mtandaoni inahusu kile ambacho mara nyingi ni mstari wa mwisho wa ulinzi: udhibiti wa usalama. "Kutoka kwa usalama wa kazi-kutoka-nyumbani hadi ulinzi wa ununuzi wa mtandaoni, zifuatazo ni kati ya hatua za usalama ambazo watu binafsi wanaweza kutumia ili kuondoa wahalifu wa mtandao: "" Programu ya antivirus "" Husaidia kulinda dhidi ya programu hasidi ambayo inaweza kuruhusu watumiaji wasioidhinishwa kupata habari ya kibinafsi "" "" Encryption "" "" Hifadhi ya data kwa mtumiaji yeyote ambaye hana nambari maalum ya kupata habari "" "" Uthibitisho wa sababu mbili "" "" Inahitaji tabaka mbili au zaidi za uthibitisho wa mtumiaji, ikiwa ni pamoja na nambari ya mara moja." Kuunda Nambari za siri za nguvu: Nambari za siri za vifaa na akaunti zinapaswa kuwa ngumu kutabiri, kuepuka herufi zinazohusiana na habari za kibinafsi kama vile tarehe za kuzaliwa na anwani. Maneno hayo ya siri yanapaswa kuwa na herufi ndogo na kubwa pamoja na namba na alama. 3. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli "Kutambua Ishara za Phishing: ""Watu wanaweza kujilinda dhidi ya wizi wa data kwa kuangalia kwa uangalifu barua pepe, maandishi, na ujumbe mwingine wa dijiti ambao unaweza kuwa udanganyifu wa phishing." "Kila moja ya sifa zifuatazo inaweza kuwa viashiria vya ujumbe wa udanganyifu: - Inataka habari nyeti: Inataka data ya kibinafsi, ikiwa ni pamoja na habari mtu anaweza kutumia kupata mitandao au akaunti - Ina anwani au viungo visivyo sawa - Inatoa viungo au anwani za barua pepe ambazo hutofautiana kidogo na zile za mashirika halali - Inajumuisha viambatisho - Inamtia moyo mtumiaji kupakua viambatisho visivyoombwa, ambavyo vinaweza kuwa na malware - Matumizi ya sarufi duni - Inajumuisha makosa ya maandishi ambayo mashirika ya kitaalamu yangeweza kuhariri kabla ya kutuma.""" Kufanya Updates mara kwa mara ¶ Watumiaji wa Internet wanapaswa kuweka mifumo yao ya uendeshaji na programu up to date. Updates mara nyingi ni pamoja na patches usalama na kuboresha kwamba kulinda dhidi ya vitisho karibuni kwa usalama wa data. 5. Uwe na mtazamo mzuri. Weka habari za kibinafsi kwenye mitandao ya kijamii: Wale wanaoshiriki habari na picha kwenye mitandao ya kijamii wanapaswa kuamsha mpangilio ambao hupunguza nani ana ufikiaji wa machapisho yao. Hatua hii inazuia wale wanaotafuta habari za kibinafsi zilizowekwa kwenye akaunti za mitandao ya kijamii. 6. Uwe na uhakika Ondoa Akaunti za Kale # Uvunjaji wa data ya ushirika unaweza kuhatarisha habari za kibinafsi za watu, hata ikiwa hawatumii tena akaunti hizo. Mtu yeyote aliye na akaunti zisizotumika na wauzaji, taasisi za kifedha, au mashirika mengine ambayo yanaweza kuwa na habari za kibinafsi anapaswa kuzifuta. 7. Uwe na mtazamo gani? "Kupitia ""Kulinda Utafiti wa Mtandao"" injini nyingi za utafutaji za mtandao hutoa chaguzi ambazo huruhusu watumiaji kuvinjari kwa faragha, bila wengine kufuatilia ni tovuti zipi wanazotembelea." Katika baadhi ya kesi, watumiaji wanaweza kufuta historia yao ya kuvinjari na utafutaji wakati wao ni online. 8. Uwe na mtazamo gani? Kuchunguza Data Broker Sites ¶ Data broker sites, kama vile Intelius na Whitepages, ni repositories ya watu binafsi habari. "Kama data kutoka kwa vyanzo vya mtandaoni kama vile: ""rekodi za umma"" ""matumizi ya tovuti na programu"" ""akaunti za media ya kijamii"" ""Kwa kuomba tovuti hizi kuondoa habari, watu wanaweza kutembelea tovuti hizo na kupata fomu ya kujiondoa." Wanaweza pia kutumia huduma za kulipwa kuomba kuondolewa kwa data. 9. (a) Kwa nini? "Kwa sababu vitu vinavyounganisha watu kwenye mtandao vinaenda zaidi ya kompyuta na simu mahiri, watu wanahitaji kuwa na ufahamu wa aina mbalimbali za vifaa ambavyo vinapaswa kulindwa dhidi ya wizi wa habari. """ Routers kuruhusu upatikanaji wa data juu ya makundi ya vifaa vingine na zana, hivyo kuanzisha nenosiri ya kipekee na kuweka usalama hadi sasa kwa ajili ya vifaa hivyo lazima kuwa kipaumbele. "Kama unavyojua, ""Mafunzo ya WHSR"" ni orodha ya vitu ambavyo watu wanaotumia Wi-Fi ya umma wanapaswa kuchukua na kuepuka ili kulinda data zao za kibinafsi." "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika makala ya ""Ulinzi wa Habari za Kibinafsi mtandaoni: Mwongozo ulio rahisi"" ya Norton, kampuni ya programu ya usalama, inaelezea mazoea bora ya ulinzi mtandaoni." "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika makala ya ""Usalama wa Mtandao"" ya National Cybersecurity Alliance, ""Mtazamo wa usalama wa mtandao"" ni hatua muhimu ambazo watu wanaweza kuchukua ili kujilinda na wapendwa wao kutokana na wizi wa data." - Kulinda Faragha Yako Mtandaoni <unk> Rasilimali hii ya FTC inatoa viungo kwa vidokezo vya kulinda habari za kibinafsi, pamoja na data ya afya, na vile vile vifaa vilivyounganishwa kwenye mtandao. Mtu Anapaswa Kufanya Nini Ikiwa Habari Zake za Kibinafsi Zinaibiwa? Nini kama, licha ya juhudi za mtu binafsi kulinda habari zao binafsi mtandaoni, wao tuhuma kwamba mtu ameingia data zao binafsi kuiba utambulisho wao au fedha? Watu wanaohisi habari zao za kibinafsi zimeibiwa wana chaguzi kadhaa kuhusu hatua za kuchukua na wapi kuripoti uhalifu unaodhaniwa. Hapa chini ni baadhi ya rasilimali ambazo zinaelezea wapi kugeuka na nini cha kufanya: - Motley Fool <unk> Makala hii inatoa hatua kwa hatua maelekezo kwa nini watu wanapaswa kufanya kama wao kuamini mtu ameiba utambulisho wao. Ofisi ya Ulinzi wa Fedha ya Watumiaji (CFPB) ni ofisi ya serikali ya Marekani inayohusika na masuala ya udanganyifu wa mtandaoni, ikiwa ni pamoja na jinsi ya kufanya ikiwa habari yako ya kibinafsi imeharibiwa. FBI: Watu wanaohisi kuwa wamekuwa waathirika wa udanganyifu wa mtandaoni wanaweza kuripoti suala hilo kwa Kituo cha Malalamiko ya Uhalifu wa Mtandao cha FBI (IC3) - FTC <unk> Rasilimali hii ya FTC inaorodhesha ishara ambazo zinaonyesha ujumbe wa mtandaoni ni udanganyifu na viungo kwa tovuti ya kuripoti udanganyifu. Shirika hilo pia hutoa tovuti ya kuripoti udanganyifu unaohusisha wizi wa utambulisho. Kuchukua tahadhari kwa ajili ya kulinda habari binafsi online. Pamoja na kuenea kwa vifaa kwamba kuunganisha kwa mtandao na matumizi yao kuenea, kila mtu anahitaji kujifunza jinsi ya kulinda habari binafsi online. Kwa kuzingatia ni habari gani ya kulinda na jinsi ya kuhakikisha ulinzi wake, watu wanaweza kuwa na uhakika juu ya faragha yao wakati wanatumia huduma nyingi na urahisi unaopatikana mtandaoni.