Big Brother is Watching Us
Have you ever done a search using your own name? You might be surprised with the result. Your comments on forums, guestbooks, articles, site signups, posts, everything comes back to haunt you. If you want to keep a low profile while surfing why not come up with a cyber name. Mine is Juneegirl This helps me when it comes to signing up on various forums and internet sites too, the same username and password for nearly everything. Not altogether smart, but a password with a twist that isn't hard to remember, something like urgr8, makes it easier. That's not my password, by the way!
I was always reluctant to use online banking but now I think it's the best thing since sliced bread. You have to trust that the banks have their security down pat, and since it's not so different to telephone banking, what the hell. Instead of half a day spent lining up at the post office or running around all over town, I can have my bills paid in 10 minutes and don't have to leave the house. Not only that, I have all the information in front of me.
But he that filches from me my good name/Robs me of that which not enriches him/And makes me poor indeed. - Shakespeare, Othello, act iii. Sc. 3.
In recent years, the Internet has become an appealing place for criminals to obtain identifying data, such as passwords or even banking information. In their haste to explore the exciting features of the Internet, many people respond to "spam" unsolicited email that promises them some benefit but requests identifying data, without realising that in many cases, the requester has no intention of keeping his promise. In some cases, criminals reportedly have used computer technology to obtain large amounts of personal data. Unfortunately, the damage that criminals do in stealing another person's identity and using it to commit fraud often takes far longer to undo than it took the criminal to commit the crimes. Be very careful about what you sign up for and if you feel the site or email is asking for information that doesn't pertain, don't give it. If necessary, don't sign up.
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