15 ways to protect your identity

by
No comments yet

Image by Vincent Bithell

What is the one thing you fear the most as a human being?  Maybe a car crash? Losing a loved one?  How about identity theft?  Let me tell you it is a terrible thing when someone gets a hold of your private information.  You feel violated and most definitely not safe.  I was a victim for a very short time of a small situation so I can’t imagine having my identity completely stolen like so many Americans deal with every day.

Upon researching ways to better protect my identity and the identities of my family  I found 15 ways to protect your identity on a site called bank rate.  Get out a pen and paper to take notes.  I think this information is important for everyone.

15 ways to protect yourself against identity theft

1. Don’t allow anyone to stand by you too closely while at an ATM machine.  Gawkers can watch you punch in your PIN and have it memorized in seconds.

2.  Don’t throw away receipts with credit card information, even if the full number isn’t printed.  It is best to put it in a safe box or fire box until the bill arrives.

3.  Shred all important documents if not needed anymore.  Documents like medical statements, financial statements etc., should be shredded ASAP.  Throwing them as is in the garbage is a free for all for identity thieves.

4. Make sure you write clearly on all credit forms and applications.  Be sure to address it the same way each time.

5. Monitor your credit cards carefully daily.  Keeping your eyes and ears on any strange purchases is beneficial.  As soon as you see any strange activity don’t just cut up your card, close it immediately.

6. Limit how many credit cards you have.  It is highly suggested to only have one or two good credit cards to your name, this way you can keep track of everything easier than you would with multiple credit cards.

7. Check for information on your credit reports each time you receive them.  Be aware of any information that does not belong to you.  Also, be on the look out for errors as credit bureaus do tend to make mistakes.

8. Do not put paid bills in your mailbox.  This is easy and instant access for identity thieves.  Take a trip to the mail box or post office to submit the bills securely.

9. Make sure you update and communicate with credit card companies if you are moving just to stay up to date on address changes etc.

10. Always protect your Social Security Number.  Only give it when you absolutely have to.

11. NEVER carry your Social Security Number and your Driver’s License together in your wallet.

12. Do not give personal information such as your SSN to telemarketers, etc.

13. When shopping online, be sure to look for the “Trust-e” symbol or Better Business Bureau online seal.  The proves the website and trustworthy.

14. Make sure all online purchases with credit cards are handled through a secure site or in an encrypted mode.  Look for https in the address bar rather than http.  This proves if it is secure or not.

15. Only shop on websites that have a privacy policy.  Know how your personal information will be handled.  Print out proper documents such as: Policies, warranties, price guarantees, etc.

Introducing the top Eco-Friendly cars of 2011

by
2 comments

Are you a fan of living a “green” lifestyle?  If you fit this category you must check out the top Eco-friendly cars of 2011.  In my quest to search for cars that are easier on the environment I came across a short but impressive list to say the least.  Though I will be frank, the first car on the list (Toyota Prius), has been getting negative reviews by scientists that this car does not live up to it’s name.  If you want to check out this report you can read it at hubpages.com.

Top Ec0-Friendly Cars of 2011

According to Eco Village Green,  these cars stand out as above the rest:

Toyota Prius- This hybrid can be purchased with a solar powered moon roof.  This powers the air conditioning system within the car.

Chevrolet Volt- This is your gas/electric high horsepower vehicle.

Ford Fusion Hybrid-  This amazing car gets 41 mpg and is the most affordable.

I know, three is not a very big list of Eco-friendly cars but at least there are some cars available that encourage greener living.

Do you want to know the pros and cons of these particular Eco-friendly cars?  I tried to stay away from the cons but I had to weigh my options to see if it is indeed worth it.  This information is according to edubook.com

Pros of Eco-friendly cars

  • 20 to 25 percent more mileage
  • Fuel efficient
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Emissions reduced by 30 percent
  • Does not require any special or costly intervention

Cons of Eco-friendly cars

  • Savings in gas bill may be only 10 to 15 percent
  • Hybrid cars average between $20,000.00-$25,000.00
  • If you are a jump start driver this car is not recommended

I guess a hybrid may not be for everyone but it’s so good to know that there are Eco-friendly cars available.  Who knows, maybe the auto industry will think of a way to fit all cars into this category.  Hey, I know this is far fetched but it’s okay to dream, isn’t it?

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Do not call list for cell phones, fact or fiction?

by
2 comments

For many of you who do value your phone number privacy it’s highly likely that you submitted your landline number to the national “Do not call list”correct? What about cell phone numbers?  There were multiple rumors that there was a “Do not call list” specifically for cell phone numbers too.  Is this an actual fact or fiction?  Since 2005 there was a number you could call to submit your cell phone number to put on that list but was this just a scam to get your cell phone number?  This I wondered for a long time but here are the rumors and the truths.

According to Truth or Fiction at Truthorfiction.com, this is fiction.  Here is the original eRumor that has been circulating:

“Cell phone numbers are being handed over to telemarketers and you’ve got a short time to keep your cell phone number out of their hands.”

The truth is the government has established a “do not call” registry but for both mobile and landlines.  There is no separate directory for cell phones.  Both numbers can be submitted through www.donotcall.gov.

There has been three versions of this email that have circulated since 2005.  The first version states that “cell phone numbers will be made public to telemarketing firms.  You will most likely have to pay for incoming calls.  They will eat up your minutes and cost you a lot of money in the long run.”

The second version stated that the “Federal Trade Commission set up a “do not call” list especially for cell phones.” 

The third version is a very friendly reminder that  “all cellular providers are mandated by law to release their client list to telemarketing firms.  Place your number in the “do not call” registry” etc.”

I remember when this came out and did everything I could to get my cell phone number on that registry.  It’s amazing what kind of hype can be created to get people to jump.  The fact is if you want your cell phone number protected just like your landline, just submit that number as well. www.donotcall.gov

Avoid posting private information on Social Networks

by
No comments yet

Social networks are definitely the new trend these days.  While they are a ton of fun and somewhat addicting, we do need to be careful of what we post on these social networks like Facebook, Twitter, etc.  This includes private information like your home address, phone number, social security number, bank account numbers, etc.  Reality is, there are predators and thieves out there waiting, just waiting for this type of information to pop up and feast upon.  Don’t get caught in this trap.

Just recently I was suprised to see that one of my Facebook friends posted on their status, very personal information for all to see.  Granted, this friend may have  had their privacy settings on “Friends only” to view this information but still, this is not a good practice and it definitely can leak out into the cyber world.

I was very surprised to find out just recently that potential employers are using social networks to check up on potential employees after a job interview.  If you heard this in passing as well, it is definitely the truth.  Employers observe job candidate’s activity on these sites to see what type of person they really are.  This is definitely scary and feels almost like an intrusion but to be honest, I think this is an excellent idea as you want to know who you will be hiring and working with.  If all you know that individual could be a psycho.

Last month I heard of an employee being fired from their job due to negative activity on their facebook account.  I am betting it’s not a good idea to bash your boss etc., on your facebook status for this most definitely could jeopardize your job.  I have heard it said; “They can’t fire me for that, it’s a free country, why should they be concerned what I do in my personal time?”   In many cases this is the truth but at the same time if you said those words directly to your boss’s face, you would probably get fired.  If you are unfortunate to have your boss see this status or have someone squeal on you, you might want to start searching for another job.

Social Networks are becoming more and more popular by the minute.  It’s a good idea to keep everything personal under wraps to avoid any situation that could cost you your job, friends, valuables, money, etc.  It’s better to be safe than sorry.  I know this phrase is such a cliche but you and I both know it’s an excellent cliche and one we should always live by.

Do you have any experiences with Social Networks that you would like to share whether positive or negative?  Please feel free so that others, including myself, may learn from your wisdom or maybe even your mistakes. 

 

Protecting your online photos

by
No comments yet

Image: anankkml / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Are you a parent leary of posting any of your personal family photos online?  If you are, you are definitely not alone.  I am constantly stressed by this activity because really, how safe are your photos?  After doing some extensive research on how to protect my photos I am happy to share this information with you.  Here are some tips on how to protect your online images from being copied and shared:

Photo protection tips

According to About.com Guide Jennifer Kyrnin, “one of the simplest ways to help prevent your images from being downloaded without your permission is to put up a no-right click script.”  This will enable a pop-up error message.  This all depends on how the code is scripted.  For more information on this action go to no-right click script for the simple tutorial.

Shrink Wrapping-  This is where Javascript plays a role.  Images can be displayed with another.  The other image can be transparent so that when someone does try to swipe the image, the image itself will be blank.

Watermarking is my favorite method for keeping my photos safe.  It is also very easy.  Check out PicMarker to watermark your photos with no headaches.

Creating a picture slide show using flash is another ways to keep photo thieves from stealing your personal photos.

Hopefully these brief tips gave you a glimmer of hope that your photos can indeed be protected from unwanted individuals.  I stopped posting my images online for a long time until I came across these tips for keeping your online photos safe.

What ways do you keep your photos protected?  Please feel free to share any tips or experiences you may have encountered with your online photos.

Protect Your Online Privacy with Tor

by
1 comment

Whenever you hop on the Internet, third parties are actively collecting your information. Whether it’s tracking what websites you’ve been to or the ads you’re clicking on, these third parties are aware of what you types of things you’re doing online. Even if you don’t have anything to hide, anonymity is still important. Fortunately, there’s a solution that not only will protect your identity, but also your browsing habits.

Tor is a FREE software program that can be downloaded directly to your computer. Known as the Onion Router, the software protects your online privacy by acting as an onion; the layers each serve as a layer of encryption. The places you visit and the ads you click on are then distributed across different exit points so that your computer will never be linked to one destination.

In short, Tor will essentially send third parties on a wild goose chase if they were to try to track or steal information. Anyone can use this program, as it’s designed for family, friends, businesses, the media, etc. It works with your existing applications as well, so all you have to do is download and go. Best of all, the software is free and safe to install. The program is also compatible with Windows, Linux,  Mac and Android.

If you want to learn more, visit the Tor website and check it out for yourself!

Image c/o instructables.com

Is global warming to blame for this week’s winter weather?

by
No comments yet

This week has been one to remember, as one-third of the country was affected by winter storms that dumped record breaking snowfalls, frigid temperatures and pelting ice to many states. Reaching from the south of Mexico to the north of Maine, even those states that don’t generally see wintry weather have been faced with snow and icy roads. The culprit – some people claim it’s just another sign of global warning.

Of course, weather happens and most people agree that this turbulent weather is just a sign that winter is still upon us. Yet many people in the science community feel that this week has been a result of global warming, as the mix of cold air from the Arctic and warm air from the Gulf of Mexico has continually caused an increase in water vapors. The more water vapor, the more snow.

In addition, those in the science field say that the increase in temperature causes more severe storms and wintry weather, which is why even southern states have seen bouts of snow, ice and cold temperatures. In favor of the global warning theory is Al Gore, who claims that this week’s past storms are exactly what the science community has predicted.

Still, there are plenty of scientists who feel that global warming has nothing to do with the winter weather we’ve been experiencing across the country. These people feel it’s safe to assume that blizzards and winter storms happen for no other reason, except for they’re a part of winter. After all, there have been plenty of storms that have occurred over the years that have nothing to do with global warming.

While we may never really know what caused this week’s winter havoc, we can all be certain that we have more cold, wintry weather to look forward to.

Image c/o flickr.com