Archives - Personal Information


Before getting rid of an old hard drive, make sure it’s unreadable

There’s always a chance somebody could get a hold of your old hard drives or flash drives. Make sure your data is deleted and unreadable before you throw out or sell it to anyone else. If it’s a work computer it also may be required by your employer’s tech policy, check with the IT department […]

Review the apps that connect via your social accounts

When you sign into a site using your Facebook, Google or Twitter account, then you may have already shared some of your data with a third party. A good idea is to periodically look at which services are joined via your social networks. Recent data leak incidents illustrate the risks of allowing untrusted apps to access […]

When using a public forum like Reddit, don’t disclose identifying information

Public forums like Reddit offer a place to talk about prescient topics and share stories. If you decide to share a story or leave a comment, be sure not to include any information that could give away your identity.

Working in public? Close your laptop

This may seem simple, but it can be easy to forget: When you’re out in public getting some work done on your laptop, whether it’s in your favorite coffee shop or at the park, close your laptop when you’re not using it. You don’t want to run the risk of someone catching a glimpse of […]

Carefully consider granting application permissions

Mobile apps often ask for numerous permissions, including access to your camera, contacts list and geolocation. Think hard before permitting them, since some applications only want these abilities for data harvesting purposes. For example, it’s not usually vital to give Facebook access to your location, or to let Instagram listen in on your microphone.

If you’re signing into a smart TV, do it around people you trust

If you’re planning on having a movie night, consider signing into your smart TV ahead of time. If you have to do it with others around, make sure they’re people you can trust with your credentials. Otherwise, have everyone leave the room so your credentials remain private. Your sign-in information can be a direct line […]