Keep shared information at a minimum
Cyberstalking and
identity
theft
often
begins by malicious
users identifying the
user
through
identifying
information provided
by the user himself. It is important to remember that information posted online may be seen
by more people than is originally intended. Social networks make it simple to inadvertently
share details about oneself (address, phone number, birthday, etc.), so as a precaution, it is
best not to input this type of information onto these websites. It is also a common occurrence
for users to make the mistake of sharing small bits of information occasionally, and through
the use of search engines and some research it is possible to piece these information together
to identify the user. As such, avoid sharing personal information and personal history
whenever possible. When creating usernames,
websites, or e-mail addresses, avoiding using
anything that reveals any useful information
such as a year of birth. Passwords and PINs
should
never
be
shared
under
any
circumstances.
Passwords
Passwords are often created to keep personal
information
and
property
secure.[5] If
a
password is compromised, it may lead to
consequences such as financial theft from
online services such as bank accounts. One
common way that passwords may be compromised is through repeated guessing. Weak
passwords make this process easier, so it is important that passwords be strong. Creating
strong passwords is a way of keeping information secure. A strong password may contain the
following:[6]
At least 10 characters
Both upper and lower case letters
Magazine Without Borders
Issue n°2
31