Being Safe Online

Being online so much I worry about security and my identity being stolen.  Being a blogger I am constantly filling out forms with my personal information and submitting it.  I can only hope that the website has good document security protection.  I do always check to make sure the URL includes an “s” as in “https” which stands for secure, but hackers seem to be getting better everyday.  Other than worrying about my data on the Internet, I also have to worry about local stored objects on my own computer, these contain data that are stored on your computer by individual websites like cookies.

Technology is also getting so much more advanced everyday.  Just the other day I had to fill out a new W9 for an affiliate company I am working with.  I was able to fill out the form online, sign it using signature validation and submit it online.  A few years ago who would have thought that was possible.  I did consider my information being sent over the Internet but then I thought if I sent them my W9 via postal mail it could be read by who knows how many people or just left out and not disposed of properly.

So as far as being safe online with your personal information, I would say trust your judgment.  Only send your information to companies you trust or at least research.  Check your credit report at least once (if not more) a year.  Finally, don’t give them any more information than you have to.  For example, I don’t give my social security number to companies until I have earned enough money to require it, now some companies want it right away but others don’t need it until you request payment.  Overall, I feel if something was going to happen, it will happen anyway so I just be careful and check my credit report as often as I can.

Mom and More Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post but my opinions remain my own.  Please see my Disclosure Policy.