| No matter whether you have an online business or not, | | | | account. Never use your own name or a version of it |
| you will be well aware of the need to protect your | | | | if you can possibly help it, and try and choose a |
| security whenever you go online. This is particularly | | | | different password for each website you join as well. It |
| important when it comes to any personal data which | | | | might be difficult to remember them all but it keeps |
| could be used by other people in some way. | | | | your personal information safer in the long run if you |
| Internet security is always evolving and improving, but | | | | do. |
| that doesn't relieve you of the need to do whatever | | | | The worst sin is to use the same password for every |
| you can to keep yourself safe. The first step in the | | | | single online log in - from your bank accounts to your |
| right direction is never to assume that the website you | | | | MySpace account. This is simply asking for trouble. A |
| are going on has taken every possible measure to | | | | so called ethical hacker would have a field day hacking |
| protect your information. That will always ultimately be | | | | into your computer and showing you just how much |
| down to you, and if you ever visit a website where | | | | damage that single 'easy to remember' password |
| things just don't seem quite as secure as they should | | | | could do in a very short space of time. |
| be, it's safer to run in the opposite direction before you | | | | It seems then that you should be worried about putting |
| give up any personal information. | | | | personal information online, but that isn't always the |
| Any website requiring you to log in for some reason | | | | case. It helps enormously to keep your wits about you |
| should always have a secure log in screen that you | | | | and make sure that you are inputting your information |
| can use. If it doesn't then anyone with the right | | | | over a secure connection whenever necessary, as |
| knowledge could hack into the website and intercept | | | | well as keeping your logins secure and away from |
| the information you are logging in with. Always look for | | | | prying eyes. It certainly helps to have a good memory |
| the secure padlock symbol and the https:// before the | | | | in this respect, since you don't want to write a huge list |
| website address that indicates you are using a secure | | | | of them down in case anyone should find it. |
| connection. | | | | In the end you are responsible for your personal |
| But personal security can be compromised in other | | | | information and for keeping it safe. Most online security |
| ways as well. Take the proliferation of social | | | | breaches occur as a result of people not taking all the |
| networking sites for example. These always require | | | | steps they should be taking to keep themselves safe - |
| you to choose a screen name (a user name if you | | | | and that is the hardest way to learn this particular |
| prefer) and a password in order to access your | | | | lesson. |