Online Privacy & Social Media Marketing Blog

Facebook, Internet Privacy, Social Media

How to boost your Facebook Privacy – 7 tips

If you’re a Facebook user, your pictures, bio, posts, and other activity make up a treasure trove of data about you. Consumers worried that their personal information is vulnerable, according to a recent report from Pew Research, listed hackers…

Cyber Scams, Cyber Security, Identity Theft, Internet Safety

How to Minimize Your Damage from Inevitable Identity Theft

“It won’t happen to me!” is what many of us think and hope when we hear about other victims of crime. But when it comes to cyber crimes, it’s become a case of when rather than if. "The number of U.S. data breaches tracked in…

Internet Privacy, Opt Out

How To Get out of MyLife Directory Site

MyLife compiles personal data from several Internet sites with a stated mission of "helping people find and connect with others by managing the information they choose to share with the world." The founder's stated goal is to "create and protect…

Cell Phone Security, Cyber Scams, Identity Theft, Internet Privacy, Internet Safety, Phishing, Predators

Cyber Monday started early this year … Buyer Beware!

Cyber Monday deals used to begin on the Monday following Thanksgiving weekend but just as Christmas trees appeared early this year to maximize the shopping season, so did online shopping deals. I noticed online sales that began as…

Cyber Privacy, Opt Out, Remove online info

Get yourself out of Persopo

Persopo is one of many sites that provide quick and easy access to personal information originating in public records. A search on the site scans the Internet for contact information, current residence, marriage and divorce records, phone…

Cyber Privacy, Identity Theft, Internet Privacy, Opt Out, Remove online info

Find your private online information

In order to understand the dangers of having your personal data easily accessible online, the best place to start is to find evidence of it. Once you have a sense of what information others can easily locate about you, then you…

Cyber Privacy, Cyber Scams, Cyber Security, Internet Privacy, Passwords, Phishing

Six fraud avoidance tips from FBI Special Agent

At a recent Cyber Security/Fraud event in Los Angeles, I learned new and valuable information from an FBI Supervisory Special Agent that I want to share with as many people as possible. To that end, I'm passing along what I learned with a…

Cell Phone Security, Cell Phones, Cyber Privacy, Cyber Scams, Cyber Security, Identity Theft, Internet Safety, Passwords, Phishing

Dangers of Seniors and Technology

Looking over my dad’s new smartphone photos, my heart skipped a beat. I was staring at vibrant photographs of every credit card in his wallet – and there were many. That’s not where it ended. There were additional photos such as the…

Cyber Security, Identity Theft, Internet Privacy, Legal/Ethics, Reputation

We Don’t Cover Stupid! How to protect sensitive data.

“We don’t cover stupid” is a reminder that ignorance and lack of expertise have become unacceptable excuses for technological negligence. This entertaining but reasonable statement was made by an insurance company who is suing for reimbursement…

Internet Privacy, Legal/Ethics, Tracking

Drones amongst us – what can we do about them?

A few weeks ago, a friend observed a drone in front of her house when she went to investigate an unusual sound. For about 15 minutes she watched it hover above trees, moving back and forth 15 to 20 feet in both directions. She felt violated…

Apps, Cell Phone Security, Cell Phones, Social Media

Beware of Snapcash and Venmo – a teen’s perspective

Snapchat is a popular app that allows users to send and receive photos, messages and videos that disappear right after they are opened. Now, a new feature has been added that can make your own cash disappear right out of your bank account.…

Cyber Privacy, Cyber Scams, Cyber Security, Email, Internet Privacy, Passwords, Phishing

What do you do when you or someone you know has been hacked or spoofed?

I'd like to tell you that I've never clicked on a link I shouldn't have clicked on, but that would be a lie. Do you realize that even a close friend can accidentally give you a virus with an innocent suggestion to download a screensaver,…

Apps, Cyber Privacy, Cyber Scams, Cyber Security, Email, Identity Theft, Internet Privacy, Internet Safety, Passwords, Phishing, Protecting Children, Remove online info, Vishing

Anthem Breach: 7 Tips to Protect Yourself Amidst Attacks

Whether directly impacted or not, there are things we must all learn from the Anthem breach. The sensitive information that was accessed has provided criminals with the ability to create new lines of credit and to steal the identities of…

Apps, Cell Phone Security, Cell Phones, Internet Privacy

“Waze” free navigation app comes at high cost

On a rainy day with multiple accidents and horrible traffic, my friend activated Waze on her iPhone and we navigated flawlessly to the end of our 29 mile journey without traffic and in great time. I was very impressed with Waze, a free, community-based…

How to avoid online shopping and travel scams

Cyber Scams, Cyber Security, Identity Theft, Internet Safety, Phishing, Predators

Online deals – tips to avoid becoming a victim this holiday season

It's always a good idea to be careful when shopping online but with the arrival of Cyber Monday and holiday shopping time, it's time to be extra careful as cyber criminals and predators come out in huge numbers. HOW TO AVOID…