subject: Protecting Your Home Security In The Internet Age [print this page] The Internet has changed many things about the way Americans live, most of them for the better. News about world events and occurrences is more accessible than ever, and people can communicate with speed and ease across space and time like never before. But there are some downsides to this rapid explosion of information of course. One major difficulty that has arisen for some in recent years is the fact that so much of ones personal data is posted online, available for all to see. This change has created a host of privacy problems, as some people feel uncomfortable with the fact that addresses, pictures, and other personal information is now virtually considered public domain. Even more troubling is the threat that all of this information sharing poses to ones personal and home security. Now with a few keystrokes and an Internet connection, everyone from a curious coworker to a thief to an identity thief can have access to loads of private data, like your home address or financial history. They can use this knowledge to do everything from rob your house when they know you are on vacation to steal your identity an take out credit cards or maybe even mortgages in your name! But luckily there are some ways to prevent such horrifying occurrences. Follow these tips, and you will significantly increase your identity and home security.
1. Do not allow your address to be posted online.
Peoples addresses have been public knowledge for a long time, as they were printed in phone books that were distributed to homes across the country. People were able to choose whether or not to have their addresses printed in these white page listings, and you can do the same with companies that post your address online. Simply contact the online listing service, and have them flag your address as private. Check back to make sure that they have taken it down, and follow up as necessary. Although there are other ways to find out your address, and this should by no means alleviate all of your home security concerns, you do not want to make it any easier than it already is for a potential robber or identity theft to have access to your information.
2. Do not post personal data on social networking websites.
Now that your address is no longer listed in the online White Pages, do not nullify all of that savvy work on your part by posting your full address and telephone number on your social networking profile. Remember, not only does this threaten your home security, but identity thieves can use this information to apply for loans or credit cards in your name. Even if you limit access to your account, these identity thieves have ways of breaking in.
3. Shred important documents that contain personal data.
Do not just throw away your monthly bank statement in the recycling bin or trash. Identity thieves are known to prowl neighborhoods on trash collection days to look for personal data that people have carelessly tossed aside. At the very least, you need to tear up papers like bank statements, credit card bills, tax receipts, and old checkbooks before getting rid of them.
