In honor of International Data Privacy Day, Attorney General Steve Six is reminding Kansans how important it is to ensure the security of their personal information. With the increased use of technology to communicate, work, and play, data privacy has become more important.
Every day, Kansans are affected by data privacy issues, like identity theft, social networking websites, unauthorized access to personal medical records, and unauthorized access to information from mobile devices.
“The use of technology in our everyday lives gives rise to the potential compromise of personal data if appropriate care is not taken to protect personal information,” Six said. “Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the privacy laws and how they can protect their personal information online.”
Data Privacy Day is a collaborative effort to promote education and awareness about protecting the privacy of personal information.
To learn more about Data Privacy Day, visit: www.dataprivacyday2010.org.
Tips to protect your personal data:
· Keep your computer’s security programs and certificates current and up to date.
· When making purchases online, ensure websites are secure prior to submitting your credit card number. Secure sites will usually begin with https:// instead of http://.
· When using social networking websites, use the appropriate privacy settings to protect the personal information you post.
· Never give out personal information, like Social Security Number or bank account numbers, online or over the phone.
· Be cautious of scams requiring you to provide your personal information.
