Ramblings of an old Doc

 

Note, I said privacy, not security even though there is some blurring at the border because breaching one can yield compromise of the other.

Well, lifehacker put out ten very good steps and very simple ones to preserve privacy.

1. Security questions should be kept as private as passwords. If there’s only a choice between various questions, then give a ‘wrong’ answer only you know.

2. Create strong, easily remembered passwords. Here I differ with them a bit. I think it’s ok to use a password keeper/LastPass type app to generate and keep passwords. Don’t forget, we’re small fish, not major targets, but info can be gotten in big site breaches. When you learn of one, change that password and keep it safe.

3. Use “Temporary” email addresses when dealing with suspect sites, or subaccounts and get rid of it when you get spam.

4. Only give your friends your im address, and only allow friends to see when you’re online.

5. Use AdBlock even if you don’t block ads.

6. Use “https:” whenever possible, even though not nearly enough sites routinely host it.

7. “Change” your gender to make whatever ads you get to less annoying.

8. Use a fake birthday for web sign ups. If the data gets compromised, who cares?

9. Leave your home address off your GPS. Put on a landmark you know how to get home from, instead.

10. Use “Temporary” credit cards to avoid repeat/automatic billing/renewals.

I know I mentioned a few of these here and there back at the holidays and since, but Whitson Gordon put them together and I thought you’d value taking a look at them.

Please take a look at his article on life hacker because there are some good links there.

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5806487


Comments (Page 1)
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on Jun 14, 2011

Great stuff, I have always told people not to fear buying from online when all they need is a prepaid credit card. Sure you lose a buck or 2 in the process but it's better than compromising your entire life. $2 is worth my security online.

on Jun 14, 2011

Good stuff.

1. Security questions should be kept as private as passwords. If there’s only a choice between various questions, then give a ‘wrong’ answer only you know.
Particularly annoying in that you can end up with loads of different ones with no way to track them. Took me half an hour to figure out my own answer the last time I had to deal with one.

7. “Change” your gender to make whatever ads you get to less annoying.
Isn't that procedure a bit drastic?

 

Edit: Fix the quote system, Stardock.

 

on Jun 14, 2011

9. Leave your home address off your GPS. Put on a landmark you know how to get home from, instead.

If you use a GPS device to find your own home....

You shouldn't be allowed to own/drive a car.

on Jun 14, 2011

Really great advice! You can never be too careful! We got nailed last Christmas with credit card charges. Not a fun thing to deal with! 

on Jun 14, 2011

Snowman
If you use a GPS device to find your own home....

You shouldn't be allowed to own/drive a car.
It is useful when you're visiting somewhere a long distance away and want the fastest route back to your town, and much more so if you've just moved to a new place.

 

on Jun 14, 2011

Kitkun
Isn't that procedure a bit drastic?

In some cases more so than others.

What was meant was when asked if male or female by a site (other than Government/official/employment... I'm sure you understand) state the opposite. The ads you get will be less distracting.

 

on Jun 14, 2011

DrJBHL
What was meant

We got it - but his comment was worth a laugh!

I really like the last one.  Although I do not avail myself of that enough.

on Jun 14, 2011

The humor did not escape me.

Additional privacy measure:

11. Windowblinds on every window.

@ CharlesCS: Your avatar is particularly auspicious today - June 14th is Flag Day.

on Jun 14, 2011

Snowman
If you use a GPS device to find your own home....

You shouldn't be allowed to own/drive a car.

Most people add it so they can calculate the mileage and travel time to and from their destination.

We rent GPS's at the car rental company I work for and as a privacy mesure we reset them when they are returned to us. It's amazing the amount of information people leave in a GPS.

on Jun 14, 2011

some good points here doc... thanks for bringing it to our attention....

 

on Jun 14, 2011

CarGuy1

Quoting Snowman, reply 3If you use a GPS device to find your own home....

You shouldn't be allowed to own/drive a car.

Most people add it so they can calculate the mileage and travel time to and from their destination.

We rent GPS's at the car rental company I work for and as a privacy mesure we reset them when they are returned to us. It's amazing the amount of information people leave in a GPS.
sooo, car rental people are not to be trusted, hmmmm.

on Jun 14, 2011

Not the question, OMG_blackmage. Your privacy is the concern. Trust takes time to be earned.

@sydneysiders - Welcome, ma'am! 

on Jun 14, 2011

QUOTE- 7. “Change” your gender to make whatever ads you get to less annoying.

Have done this for years. Love the Victoria Secret adds I get.

Good stuff Doc, couldn't resist,

on Jun 15, 2011

re #10, credit cards and automatic renewals...... you even have to be careful with paid anti-virus / internet security programs and unwanted auto-renewals after you decide to switch to another product, BUT...

... last time I checked, most of the internet security programs were cheaper on Amazon than download from the vendor.  Cheaper even after adding in shipping costs.  Actually cheaper to buy "new" from Amazon again next year than the discounted renewal price from the vendor.  In no sane planet is manufacturing a disk and shipping it cheaper than a download, who says this planet is sane ?

Buy new from Amazon every year and only Amazon knows your credit card # and the vendor can't auto-renew you even if they want to.

on Jun 15, 2011

Lord Cobol
re #10, credit cards and automatic renewals...... you even have to be careful with paid anti-virus / internet security programs and unwanted auto-renewals after you decide to switch to another product, BUT...

... last time I checked, most of the internet security programs were cheaper on Amazon than download from the vendor.  Cheaper even after adding in shipping costs.  Actually cheaper to buy "new" from Amazon again next year than the discounted renewal price from the vendor.  In no sane planet is manufacturing a disk and shipping it cheaper than a download, who says this planet is sane ?

Buy new from Amazon every year and only Amazon knows your credit card # and the vendor can't auto-renew you even if they want to.

Correct, and a good addition to the thread... but the way things are going it'll be Amazon and lulzSec.

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