Privacy and Security Online

Personally, I feel like I have a strange outlook on internet security and privacy. This is probably related to the fact that I've grown up learning about the internet, so the warnings about internet safety, etc. all seem like second nature now. I'm also a little in weird in that while my Facebook profile is public, I am very reserved and rarely post on FB because I know all of the people I'm connected with on there. This is very opposite of my #bookstagram account where I have many, many followers who I have never met in real life, but I find that I'm more open and honest about my life and school with them.

I admit, I used to be one of those people who had a piece of tape or a sticker covering up the webcam on my computer. I don't do that anymore, but I think it's interesting how priorities about privacy differ from person to person. I don't really mind if people can see how many books I've bought over the past month, or what I've put in my Amazon shopping cart. I may find the ads that use my computer's cookies data annoying, but I don't find it creepy. I am more freaked out by the possibility of someone literally "watching" me on a webcam, than someone who can track my shopping/web browser history.

So while I'm personally not super concerned by the certain tactics of marketing companies or how data is collected by certain internet sites, I do realize why some people might be concerned. Especially when looking at the situation with Snowden, who we talked about briefly in class. People have right to at least know if their online activities are being watched/tracked. It's the principle of the the situation. People should not feel like they are being spied on without their knowledge or consent.

This being said, there are some basic guidelines I do follow in order to keep some of my privacy in tact. These tips might be helpful or at least reminders for younger students or internet users.

1. Don't share your home address or location. Some of the book bloggers or #bookstagram accounts I follow have actually set up a PO Box for the purpose of fans or publishers who want to send books or other promotional material. This prevents their actual home address from being broadcast to the public. It might also be a good idea to turn off the location option on your phone's privacy settings, so it is not linked to the photos/content you share.

2. Be wary about online banking and sites that will save your bank account information. I don't do too much with online banking. I really only go online to check the balance of my account. Though if you are doing a good bit of shopping through Amazon or PayPal, it's a good idea to make sure the passwords for those accounts are complex and secure.

3. Be aware of who you're interacting with, the sites you visit, and the information you share. We discussed a little bit about being cautious about the people we might meet online, such as the example of online dating. And of course, a good rule of thumb is if you don't want something broadcast to the public, then don't post it on the internet.

So those are some of the steps I take to protect my online security and privacy. Though some people might take more advanced precautions than me, these tips are a good start.