1. PROTECTING PERSONAL
INFORMATION
Week 4 Group Project
Raymond Edwards
Walden University
CMIS-3001-Computing and Society

2. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
 Personal identification security has become a factor
in society due to increased identify theft issues.
 Each individual should take care to protect their
identity; thereby protecting their credit scores and
background information from unscrupulous use.
 Protecting your identity is more important today with
the use of technology.
 YOU ARE RESPONSBILE

3. WHERE IS THE RISK?
 Social networking sites are a catch-all for personal
information.
 While you may think random bits of information are
harmless, put together, a picture of your life will
evolve.
 ―Facebook has essentially become a worldwide
photo identification database‖ (Mui, 2011).
 In addition to Facebook, users randomly share
information on the internet when registering for
gifts, coupons or contests on a website.

4. FIVE STEPS
 The Consumer Federation of America offers ten
steps designed to protect your personal information
and detect fraud (Consumer Federation, 2012).
 Here are five of those steps every person should
make it a habit to practice.

5. STEPS, CONTINUED
 Practice mail security –  Guard your Social
use a public mail box to Security number – put
prevent unauthorized your social security
access to your mail. card in a safe place
(one you will
remember) and only
provide your social
security number for a
legitimate reason.
Most companies will
take an alternate
identification number.

6. STEPS, CONTINUED
 Keep private information to  Monitor your accounts, bills,
yourself—Do not give out and bank statements—
your private information Check regularly for charges
(account numbers, pins, or that you did not make or
passwords) over the were not aware of making.
telephone.

 Be safe online—Use anti-
virus and anti-spyware to
protect your computer.
These programs are
available for low cost or
free.

7. The Inteqnet bqings us gqeat
websites full of infoqmation and
enteqtainment, and email and chat
have qevolutionized communication.

ut theqe's a daqk
side, too, as Inteqnet useqs aqe
incqeasingly conceqned about how
much of theiq peqsonal infoqmation
they'qe giving up in echange

8. RESPONSIBILITY
 The government is in favor of industry self-
regulation.
 Internet users, as a body, are in favor of laws.
 Regardless which avenue is chosen, the bottom
line is YOU are responsible for protecting your own
information to the best of your ability.
 There are a variety of ways to protect your
personal information without becoming paranoid
and afraid.
 You may be exposing your private information
without being aware.

9. EASY STEPS TO BEGIN A SAFE INFORMATION
JOURNEY
 Be proactive
 Be cautious when using the internet
 Never send personal information to over an
unsecured website
 Check to make sure websites use a ‗https‘ when
providing credit card information
 ALWAYS log out of website requiring an ID and
password
 Be wary of links received through instant
messaging services
 Protect, vary and renew your passwords on a
regular basis

10. References
Consumer Federation of America. (2012). Ten Easy Steps to Protect Your
Personal Information and Detect Fraud (CFA). Retrieved from
http:/​/​www.consumerfed.org/​elements/​www.consumerfed.org/​file/​Ten%20Ea
sy%20Steps.pdf
Mui, C. (2011, August 8). Facebook's Privacy Issues Are Even Deeper Than
We Knew. Forbes. Retrieved from
http:/​/​www.forbes.com/​sites/​chunkamui/​2011/​08/​08/​facebooks-privacy-
issues-are-even-deeper-than-we-knew/​
Voice of America. (2009, November 1). Internet Use Raises Privacy
Concerns. Retrieved from Voice Of America Web site:
http:/​/​www.voanews.com/​content/​a-13-2008-04-29-voa44/​406559.html