Safety Tips
Ever wonder how these data providers get your information and how it always ends up on 100's of other websites? So did we! That is why we created this Safety Tips guide to help you get a better grasp on how and where your data is being collected from around the internet.
There are many different services out there, that act as Data Mining/Lead Generation offers that serve to collect as much information on you to sell off to a large data provider/seller. So before, you go browsing the web and putting your personal information in any site that looks professional, make sure you follow these simple tips:
Be sure to read the FINE PRINT when the word FREE is involved...
There are 1000's of product offerings on the internet using the term "free". This ussually means that in return for getting that free prize, you need to divulge a lot of personal information about yourself that you would not otherwise share in hopes of getting that free prize. This information that you submit, is often times shared with other companies that pool all these companies data together to offer their data services to 3rd parties. Be cautious when the word "free" is being used, and if you want to protect your personal/private information, don't use it on these type sites before reading their privacy policy or terms and conditions.
Keep your Private Email and Home Phone Number Private!
Signup to one of the free email services out there like: gmail.com, hotmail.com or yahoo.com. So, whenever you are filling out forms on-line you can use this free email account that you dont mind spreading around. Then if the email address is of no use anymore, you can throw it away and open another one. Also, make sure before you ever put your home phone number in any form, you are comfortable with them possibly selling that information to 3rd parties. If you have the extra funds available, purchasing a throwaway phone, might be something you want to consider. This way, you can use the phone # of the throwaway phone whenever filling out forms or offers over the internet.
Use a Post Office Box when necessary
If you are concerned about your private home address being distributed throughout the internet, go ahead and start using a Post Office Box. They are simple to setup, and whenever you want to fill out something over the internet, use the PO Box instead of your private home address.
Useful tools
There are many other useful ways to protect, your privacy, so we highly suggest you really consider the tips below:
- Anti-Virus Software - With all the Spyware/Adware spreading itself through the internet, it is very important you are protected with Anti-Virus Software
- Block "caller ID" on your phone - Set it up so you can block caller ID on your home phone
- Get your Credit Report - AnnualCreditReport.com allows you to get your Free Credit Report online once a year. Stay on top of your credit ratings/score.
- InPrivate Browsing - IE Offers a InPrivate Browsing that protects your information about where you have browsed and what you are browsing.
We hope All this information has really been helpful to you, and we hope you take all these safety tips seriously. Please check out some other great resources below:
FTC Do Not Call Registry: http://www.donotcall.gov
FTC's ID Theft Resource Center: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
BBB Online Privacy Tips: http://www.bbbonline.org/understandingprivacy/toolbox/tips.asp
If you find any other useful links you would like us to share with other users, feel free to Contact us and we will be more then happy to add them to our Safety Tips section!