Online Privacy & Social Media Marketing Blog

Cyber Privacy, Facebook, Internet Privacy, Social Media

What do people see when they view your Facebook profile?

A reader's question on my last article, Who Sees Your Personal Facebook Posts, made me realize I'd left out a simple tip. Her question was, "When someone is looking for my personal page they can see all of my cover page pictures. How…

Facebook, Internet Privacy, Social Media

Who Sees Your Personal Facebook Posts?

I recently learned that Facebook makes changes to its code every Tuesday and even though many changes may not be obvious, let me tell you why that matters. A few weeks ago, I smiled at a handsome man in the car next to me while waiting at…

Cyber Security, Internet Privacy, Passwords, Predators

How to Keep Hackers Out of Your Website or Blog

I was uncomfortable and unhappy after I watched someone hack into a site in less than 5 minutes. It was so easy to do! So, I followed “the hacker’s” advice to reduce this from happening to me and then cried (just a bit) when I completely…

Apps, Cell Phones, Internet Privacy, Protecting Children, Sexting, Snapchat, Social Media

Self-destructing photos and videos: Fact or Fiction?

I asked my son why he was so cranky a few days ago and he explained he had just fallen asleep after studying for final exams when he was woken up by an annoying long distance text. A good friend had downloaded Snapchat, an app that sends…

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

Remove Personal Information from the Internet (Spokeo)

I typed names into Spokeo today and to put it mildly, I freaked out when I retrieved all sorts of personal information from the Internet! Our lives have become publicly open books but what upset me most was finding the personal information of…

Cyber Bullying, Cyber Security, Internet Privacy, Internet Safety, Predators, Reputation, Social Media

Social Media Privacy and Security Tips – Part II

Social Media enriches our lives and connects us instantly and inexpensively with the world, but it simultaneously makes it challenging to maintain privacy. Virtues of Social Media include the ability to express ourselves and to share information…

Cyber Scams, Identity Theft, Internet Privacy

Beware of Cyber Monday Online Shopping Scams

Monday, November 26th is Cyber Monday and it's important to remember that cyber criminals will be online in full force too. If you are seeking online deals on Cyber Monday or anytime this holiday season, it can't hurt to take a few moments…

Facebook, Internet Privacy, Phishing, Social Media, Twitter

6 Social Media Privacy and Safety Tips

I am a huge fan of Social Media but I dislike it when privacy or safety are compromised by private photos and information being shared accidentally or maliciously. My own tales include identity theft, credit card fraud and being reprimanded…

Cell Phone Security, Cell Phones, Cyber Privacy, Cyber Security, Passwords

How to Secure your Smartphone and Increase Your Mobile Security

As smartphones increase in popularity, threats to privacy grow too. We enjoy the convenience of using our phones for online banking, shopping, email, social media, web browsing, storage of personal information and keeping track of our schedules…

Facebook, Internet Privacy

Prevent Unauthorized Access of Your Full Facebook Profile

Facebook privacy issues continue to surface and a recent one has many of us, including me, quite nervous. Facebook settings give us the option of allowing people to look us up via our Facebook profiles. A couple of days ago, Suriya Prakash…

Cyber Relationships, Internet Dating, Online Dating, Social Media

Online dating: Safety Tips for Meeting Potential Partners In Person

Online dating has some advantages over conventional dating. It provides convenient and wide access to potential partners, especially for those who lack such access. Mathematical algorithms can provide daters with a basic sense of compatibility…

Cyber Relationships, Internet Dating, Internet Privacy, Online Dating, Predators, Social Media

Internet Dating – 5 Ways to Stay Safe Online

When it comes to online dating, it's obvious, but I'm going to say it anyway. People lie! Some do it to protect themselves or to appear more desirable and others seek dishonest financial gain. Predators and stalkers can pose as people…

Cyber Security, Internet Safety

Cyber Security: 2 more Important Ways to Stay Cybersafe – Part II

In Part I of this article, attention was drawn to the importance of avoiding phishing schemes and of keeping all software updated including virus protection and system updates to your computers and other devices. Today, let's discuss two seemingly…

Cyber Security, Internet Privacy, Internet Safety, Phishing

Cyber Security: 2 ways to Protect yourself, your Family and your Community – Part I

I recently completed two Cyber Security classes provided by TEEX, a Training and Education Division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. I wanted to learn how local communities prepare for and respond to cyber threats and I hoped the…