Digital & Internet Safety

Understanding your personal data Defining “Big Data” Protecting your data, computer & devices Avoiding identity theft

Digital & Internet Safety Online participation = digital identity  we provide our data to companies, government  this data is gathered by websites we visit  know how your data it being used

Digital & Internet Safety What pieces of information make up your online identity? What pieces of information make up your online identity? How does information about you become available online? What factors make this out of your control? Who might benefit from the trail of data you leave behind?

Digital & Internet Safety Heard the term “Big Data”? What does it mean? Where have you heard it? In what context? 7:58-11:48:

Digital & Internet Safety Three reactions to “Big Data”:  it’s exciting  it’s valuable  it’s scary

Digital & Internet Safety ACTION: Using location services REWARD: find local services more easily; locate your device if lost. RISK: targeted ads; records may be used or sold by advertisers.

Digital & Internet Safety ACTION: Staying logged in (Facebook, Google, etc) REWARD: Customized results & info RISK: “filter bubble” can mean missing information.

Digital & Internet Safety ACTION: Online shopping accounts REWARD: Convenience, savings. RISK: Profiling, or even sale of data about your preferences/ activities (depends on TOS).

Digital & Internet Safety “...the lived reality of big data is suffused with a kind of surveillant anxiety — the fear that all the data we are shedding every day is too revealing of our intimate selves but may also misrepresent us...”

Digital & Internet Safety So if you want to control and limit the data about you that is gathered as you move through the internet, what can you do?

Digital & Internet Safety Control your internet connection:  Turn off location services  Keep browsers current for updates to protect you  Find out what data apps will access before installing  Set security preferences for cookies & pop-ups  Research the Terms of Service: how it uses your data  Opt out of data gathering - see Digital Awareness Guide guides.vpl.ca/digital_awareness guides.vpl.ca/digital_awareness

Digital & Internet Safety “Cookies” (also called tracking) bits of code stored on your computer by websites you visit - useful for remembering logins/searches, but can also allow websites to track your internet use. “Pop-ups” extra windows that can contain useful info, but can also include adware or viruses. “Cookies” (also called tracking) bits of code stored on your computer by websites you visit - useful for remembering logins/searches, but can also allow websites to track your internet use. “Pop-ups” extra windows that can contain useful info, but can also include adware or viruses. Examples from Mozilla Firefox v. 27.0

Digital & Internet Safety

Big Data is legal, and difficult to avoid if we are to participate online. Informed decisions are key. Identity theft is illegal, and while it affects very few people, caution is key – both with your info and with your devices.

Digital & Internet Safety While ID theft is growing, it is still a rare occurrence. According to the RCMP, in 2013 less than 20,000 people reported some form of ID theft. That’s only 0.06% of Canada’s total population.

Digital & Internet Safety With your personal data, identity thieves can:  Set up social media accounts in your name and damage your reputation  Access your bank account, transfer $, make purchases, apply for loans or credit cards  Gain access to your passwords and accounts

Digital & Internet Safety Don’t share key information unless the site /service is trustworthy. Especially….  Full name, address, phone number  Date of birth  Social Insurance Number (SIN) or other ID, including your signature  Bank account and credit card numbers  Usernames and passwords

Digital & Internet Safety Create strong passwords  Password for each account  Long passwords mixing letters, numbers, symbols  Keep recovery options updated ( , cell #)  Keep password reminders in a secure place Example of a secure password:  Phrase: “always look on the bright side of life”  Use the first letter of each word: alotbsol  Add capital letters: alotBSol  Change a letter to a punctuation mark: al*tBS*l  Add numbers you’ll remember: al*tBS*l350 Add something unique for that web site (ie. YA for Yahoo): Al*tBS*lYA - that way you can use the same pattern for each web site but still have a unique password for each! Example of a secure password:  Phrase: “always look on the bright side of life”  Use the first letter of each word: alotbsol  Add capital letters: alotBSol  Change a letter to a punctuation mark: al*tBS*l  Add numbers you’ll remember: al*tBS*l350 Add something unique for that web site (ie. YA for Yahoo): Al*tBS*lYA - that way you can use the same pattern for each web site but still have a unique password for each!

Digital & Internet Safety Staying Safe Online!

Digital & Internet Safety Avoiding Scams:  log in & check for alerts on site (don’t follow links)  Never submit financial or personal information by or over phone  Never use phone number sent by contact the company directly  Official organizations will contact you by phone if your account is compromised Avoiding Text Scams:  Do not respond to: Stop/No/You’ve Won! - this is to confirm your number is active  Don’t give out personal information by text  Forward the texts to 7726 (SPAM) to block future texts

Digital & Internet Safety Network Security  Use a strong password on your home network  Shared networks/those without passwords may allow others to access to your information Two must-haves to protect your home computer: Antivirus software: stops viruses from downloading to your computer Firewalls prevent others from entering your network & stealing information or files Not sure? Contact your Internet Service Provider

Digital & Internet Safety Security for mobile devices:  Use a password/code on your device  Never leave your device unattended  Keep your operating system up to date  Download apps that can trace your device /erase your data if lost or stolen  Back up your data regularly  Keep a record of your device’s number, make/model, colour/appearance, IMEI & PIN #s

Digital & Internet Safety Using shared computers or wifi:  Uncheck “remember me” password prompts  Always log out of sites you visit  Clear browsing history after visiting the internet  Don’t allow your device to auto connect to new networks.  Turn off device/computer “sharing” when using unsecured wifi (to prevent access to your files)

Digital & Internet Safety Wrapping up… Personal data, “Big Data”, privacy, security are terms that are constantly redefined online. The balance is always shifting between privacy concerns and the opportunities and advantages data can provide.

Digital & Internet Safety These are complicated topics, and they change often. Make considered decisions about what to share with whom. Consult with librarians or reputable news & help sources (such as the Digital Awareness Guide) to find out the latest.

Digital & Internet Safety Tech Café, Level 3, Tue/Thu 2-3:30pm: drop in & get help Other classes: Protecting Your Online ID, Intro to Social Media, Intro to Apps… Digital Awareness Guide guides.vpl.ca/digital_awareness guides.vpl.ca/digital_awareness Contact us during open hours, call , or