Internet Privacy - Why You Should Hide Your Identity

Current Employers:

Are you posting personal photos and personal information on the Internet? Is so, keep in mind that your employer may be viewing it. I know someone who called her employer to say she was not coming to work because she was sick. The problem was that she wasn't sick and just wanted to go skiing for the day. She posted photos of herself skiing and was fired when her employer came upon her skiing photos. 

Potential Employers:

Are you currently looking for a job? If so, keep in mind that potential employers can, and do, check the Internet looking for information about you. If you have photos on your Facebook that you don't want a potential employer to see, that them down or change your profile settings to private before you apply for the job.

Pedophiles can, and do, search the internet looking for photos of children. Many of these photos can be downloaded too. Do you want your child's photos in the hands of a pedophile? Some people post way too much information about their family on social networking sites, such as Facebook. Some people even list the state in city they live in. If you are one of them, keep in mind that a pedophile can easily find your child. Don't post photos with captions such as, "Emma in her school play at Warner Elementary." Avoid posts that give away too much information. Don't post information like this, "Taking the kids skating at Miami Skate Park today."

Parents should also monitor what their children are posting on the Internet. You can help keep your children safe by knowing who they are talking to and what personal information they are posting on the Internet.

• Witness Protection Program/Restraining Orders - If you are in a witness protection program or have a restraining order against someone, you should avoid social networking sites altogether. You can easily be found. 

• Custody Battles - If you are in a bitter child custody battle, keep in mind that your ex-spouse might try use the information and photos you post on the internet against you in court. 

• Political and Religious Views - Political and religious views are two things that people take very personally. If you post your political and/or religious views on the Internet you could be setting yourself up for harassment from people who don't agree with your views.

• Identity Theft - Don't give identity thieves a chance to steal your identity. The more information you post on the internet, the more there is for thieves to steal. Criminals are always searching the Internet looking for their next victim. 

What you should and shouldn't do if you belong to social networking sites.

• Don't post personal photos.
• Don't state your full name, use a nickname or alias.
• Don't list the city and state you live in.
• Don't fill out every section of your profile.
• Change your passwords often and don't use the same password for all your Internet accounts.
• Don't download apps that you're not familiar with because you could be downloading spyware without even knowing it.
• Use strong security settings or change your settings to private.
• Don't accept requests from people you don't know. Your next "friend" may be looking for a potential victim.