In recognition of today, which has been designated as National Data Privacy Day, an online identity theft and security awareness coalition headed by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and AT&T is offering tips to avoid identity theft and urging consumers to make sure their personal information is properly protected online to guard against identity theft.
According to the Internet Keep Safe Coalition, those who have personal profiles on the internet should protect personal information that is put online that they does not to be freely available for the public to learn after a few clicks for the foreseeable future.
One of the best tips to avoid identity theft is to check security settings on social networking websites to tweak what personal information can be made freely available online to the public, including identity thieves, and what information can only be revealed to friends.
Additionally, when speaking with someone on a social media website, iKeepSafe warned that it is easy for identity thieves to impersonate a trusting person online as a means to obtain unprotected personal information from their victims.
"Technology is such an important part of our lives, and we must use it responsibly by protecting our personal information," said Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum. "Any information you post online can never fully be removed, so guard your information very carefully and never share it with strangers or enter into unfamiliar Web sites."
When it comes to guarding oneâs children from online predators or thieves, iKeepSafe recommended using the parental controls available on most computers and websites to set up an online environment that a child can use that also limits them from accessing websites that could get them in a situation they are not prepared for.
âWe applaud Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum's efforts to expand awareness about the need to protect your personal information and provide security, privacy and safety to families nationwide,â said iKeepSafe President Marsali Hancock. âLet this day serve as a catalyst for all of us to improve the way we manage our personal privacy online."
