Own Your Privacy

ownyours

Individuals feel an increasing lack of control over their personal data. However, there are steps you can take to learn about the types of data you’re generating online, and how it’s collected, shared, and used. Follow these basic privacy tips to help you better manage your personal information and make informed decisions about who receives your data.

  • Personal Info is Like Money:  Value it. Protect it.  Personal information, such as your purchase history, IP address, or location, has tremendous value to businesses – just like money. Make informed decisions about whether or not to share your data with certain businesses by considering the amount of personal information they are asking for and weighing it against the benefits you may receive in return.
  • Keep Tabs on Your Apps.  Many apps ask for access to personal information, such as your geographic location, contacts list and photo album, before you can use their services. Be thoughtful about who gets that information, and wary of apps that require access to information that is not required or relevant for the services they are offering. Delete unused apps on your internet-connect devices and keep others secure by performing updates.
  • Manage Your Privacy Settings.  Check the privacy and security settings on web services and apps and set them to your comfort level for information sharing. Each device, application or browser you use will have different features to limit how and with whom you share information. Get started with NCSA’s Manage Your Privacy Settings page. 

Here's a short video that shows five ways to protect your identity.

 

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