Yoshikaの英語ワンポイントレッスン Vol. 71
米連邦政府がアメリカの大手IT企業と協力し、極秘で個人情報を収集していたことが、内部告発によって明らかになった「プリズム(PRISM)問題」。告発者のスノーデン氏は亡命を図っていますが、どうなることか。ここでは、インターネットで個人情報を盗まれないための工夫をまとめました。
"HOW TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR INFORMATION SAFE ON THE INTERNET"
In recent days, the United States National Security Agency has come under fire for their seemingly illegal but definitely unethical surveillance of U.S. citizens and foreign countries. It all started with the disclosure that many of the social networking websites we use everyday were providing the government with our information. Although this case will likely drag on for months and years (as to legality, prosecution, etc), it made me think about protecting my information against those I have control over: identity thief. Even though I can't stop the government from accessing my online information, I can try to stop others from doing so. Here are some tips to keep you and your identity safe on the internet.
(1) | Choose strong passwords! Use as many combinations of numbers and symbols as much as possible. Use your license plate number. Example: YHTuttle8794@_2013! |
(2) | When making purchases online, make sure that when you are at the checkout that it is secured. Make sure that at the bottom of the browser, there is a yellow padlock. This means the website and all of your information is secure. |
(3) |
If you are emailing important information, do it in a way that is indiscernible. Criminals can easily trace and identify numbers that are in a certain format such as a social security number (xxx-xx-xxxx) or phone number (xxx-xxx-xxxx). So, if you want to email or text this information do it the following way:
- E-mail: If your address is myname@gmail.com, send it as myname at gmail dot com.
- SSN: I usually send it in separate emails or as follows
XXX
XX
XXXX
- Phone number: same as above or in this format xxxxxxxxxx (no spaces).
- The word "password" and "login" can also easily be identified so instead, type "pswd" and "log" or any different spelling. |
(4) |
If you are not using your computer TURN IT OFF! If you have an internet connection, anyone can hack into your computer. Moreover, if you can "hide" your wireless connection, do so. |
(5) |
Make sure to completely log out of a website. If you are still logged in, then you are still on the internet and anyone can hack into your account. |
(6) |
Free, public wifi connections are not safe for the above reasons. |
(7) |
If there is an update for your computer, download it. It usually comes with security updates. |
(8) |
If it is not necessary to include your SSN, phone number, or e-mail, then do not do so. Many websites will ask you for this information but it is not a requirement unless there is an asterisk (*) next to it. Websites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, are social media sites that do not need all of the information above. If a website does ask for these things, it is usually a retailer/business and it is harmless (like using your email address to put on a mailing list) but you can always check the box that says something along the lines of "Please do not send me any information regarding…." |
(9) |
If you are getting spam, place it in your junk folder or you can send it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): spam@uce.gov. They will put the spam into their databases for investigations against illegal phishing and spamming. |
(10) |
If you are getting unwanted emails from businesses, go into the text of the email and look for the word "unsubscribe". It will usually be somewhere at the bottom in small print. If you click on that and follow the directions, the business will take your email address off of the internet. |
(11) |
If you are getting ride of a computer, make sure to wipe out the entire thing of all of your personal information. |
(12) |
Facebook, Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, 4Chan, etc: For social media sites, put all of your settings to private (name, information, pictures). Do not include your entire birthday, do not include your phone number and do not include your email address. |
Remember that the more you sign up for websites, the more your information keeps getting out there. To pay your bills online is usually very secure. But when you sign up for blogs, magazines, retailers, etc., is where you might get into trouble so choose very carefully about what information you put out there about yourself.
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