Archives - Privacy


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 […]

Delete recordings on your Amazon Alexa to protect your privacy

Did you know that Alexa is always listening? Alexa listens for your “wake” word, the phrase that tells the device to start doing something. When you say Alexa’s wake word, the device will record everything it hears until the interaction has ended. It does this to optimize and personalize its performance specifically to the user. […]

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 […]

Never log your location in your Facebook posts

Facebook allows you to geographically check in as part of posting on the site. Never show off where you’re currently located on social media. Depending on your settings, anyone may be able to view this information. Not only does it give away your current location, it could tell the wrong people that you’re currently not […]

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.