Changing your Habits for Privacy and Security

Methods of common sense:

There are several methods and ideas that everyone can do, to change the way you handle your personal and private information, simply by changing a few of your habits.

We're going to try to convey a few ideas on how to protect yourself, by the use of common sense and awareness of what information you should keep private. 

Remember that "Information is Power"!!  Today, the war against personal privacy involves who controls the information!!.. 
 

Protecting your Privacy:

Don't give out personal information to:

Telemarketers or Phone Sales People -- If you don't know them personally, don't give out any personal or private information.. All sorts of information can be found about you just by the "special offer" approach.. Credit Card numbers, Social Security Numbers, How many residents in your home, etc.  Be Polite! You can always decline the sale!! But, if you do have an interest in what they have to offer, ask them for an "informational" packet.. Most legitimate telemarketers already have your address listed with your telephone number. If they ask for your address, they're probably not a legitamate "sales person", so just don't give it... Politely tell them to "take you off of their mailing list" and "hang up". 

Department Stores and Grocery Stores - Often these stores will offer a special savings card, stating an advertisement of, "If you fill out this form, we'll give you great savings and discounts on items in our store". This type of solicitation is definitely used to build "customer profiles" of what you buy and when you buy it. Of course, most of these shopping clauses state, "We will keep your information confidential".. But in the hands of potential "eavesdroppers" and "hackers", this information can be used to find out about your yearly income, how much you spend, what you buy, and when you buy it.. Most of the time it's better to "spend" the extra dollar on goods, rather then give away your personal privacy. 

Salesman - Again, if you don't know them personally, don't tell them anything!! These "walk around" salesman might not be "salesman" at all. They may be a "potential eavesdropper", investigating the "layout" of your home or business. If a salesman does approach, ask for "credentials", such as a company contact number, business card, location and address. Even take a quick look at "what he's driving". This can give you an "idea" of whether or not he's legitimate. Play it safe, be inquisitive, and be careful. If you suspect that the salesperson is illegitimate, don't confront him about it. Just be polite, decline the sales pitch and escort him/her to the door.. 

Servicemen - Phone Company, Cable company and Gas Company - many times these people say "we need to service your...." , but in reality they could be a potential "eavesdropper" trying to install "privacy invasive electronics".. Check their ID, their Vehicle and even call their "service" to find out whether their scheduled to make a stop, before letting them into your home or business.. Even if you believe the call is legitimate or you believe their sincerity, don't leave them alone. Be polite, and stick around. Use your "personal" skills and conversate with them, but don't be too obvious..

Websites - This means of electronic profiling seems "unending"... Don't give out personal information unless you "intend" to purchase something.. Honest websites will issue a disclaimer of some type; that they will keep your information private. Remember, if there is "no disclaimer", then that website is not legally bound by any agreement of privacy... Private information could be sold to companies for a price or just used to build "client" profiles.. 

Mail in adds - Many of times, you may receive "junk mail" offerings to give you "great deals", just by filling out a simple questionnaire.. You may have even seen these types of offers on the internet. Remember, there's usually a catch! Companies make millions of dollars a year, off of "information gathering" and sell it to "marketers"... As huge profiling lists are built from this information. In general, you don't want to be on one of these lists, even though most people are nowadays.. Use good judgement before filling out forms and beware! 

To Your Trash - Eavesdroppers favorite place to look. They can easily find out how someone lives by looking through their trash. Banks statements, phone bills, credit card transactions, old tax forms, business receipts etc.. This is a great place to get an abundance of information about you or your company. The smart thing to do is to buy a paper shredder!! This is the best way to secure your daily or monthly activities. There have been an abundance of stories about how "single strip" shredders have been used and how people have been able to "glue" these long strips back together, like a puzzle, and still get your useful information... Don't be cheap, buy a good paper shredder, such as a "cross cutting" type shredder. These "tiny" pieces of paper almost look like confetti and are next to impossible to piece back together. 
 

Remember that any personal information in the wrong hands can be disastrous! 
It's not the "honest" companies you have to worry about, 
but the "not so honest" employees or hackers
who could use this information to personally or financially damage you.. 

Updating Your Security:

   Two of the most important, if not expensive assets any individual can own, should be protected. The first is your home (or business) and the second is your vehicle. In either case, no matter how much one of these assets are worth, they are worth your protection. It is reasonable to assume that if you own an automobile or home, you have some type of insurance.  We would like to convey to you some security ideas, some you may already know, and some you may not, on how to increase your level of security and insurance against possible threats.
 

Security at Home:

   Below are a few ideas that you can do to update and secure your premises

• Locks - upgrade the locks on all main entry and exit ways. A good idea would to be to install deadbolts with a turn knob on the inside, so the occupants can leave in a hurry. Don't be cheap. If you think you've been broken into before, it's time to install a high security deadbolt system. These can range from $79 - $150 dollars, and are almost un-pickable.
• Doors - a solid steel fire door is the best security. Pick a door with little to no windows. This will keep intruders from breaking the glass and opening your locks from the inside. It may not look pretty, but it's always a safe bet. It is also a good idea to install a wide angle peephole, to see who is at the door before you open it. Check the hardware stores specifications.
• Windows - lock all of your windows whenever you leave the premises. Intruders have been known to bring a ladder and climb up to 3rd story windows, just to gain entrance. Also, make sure the window latches are functional and tite. Replace any lose weatherstripping or exterior framework, as this is surely the point where the window may be pried open. Add the extra security of double or triple pane windows to make the glass more difficult to break and make alot of noise when broken.
• Interior lighting - always have some type of illumination in your main area. If you're not home, you can purchase a lamp timer. Choose the better timer that has a random turn on & turn off setting.
• Exterior lighting - adding a lamppost or motion detectors lights are a great idea. These lights can be programmed to automatically illuminate when someone approaches. Not only providing light for someone in the dark, but warding off any intruders. Covert built in motion detectors are common now in porch lites, garage lighting and lampposts.
• Driveway - if you normally use your driveway to park your car (not in the garage), have a neighbor park their car in your spot if you're going to be away for awhile. This can give the illusion that you are home.
• Security system - if you can afford a good security system, then you probably already have one. If not, even some of the cheaper systems that just cover the main entry doors may be sufficient. Having a security system is better than not having one at all.

If you decide to leave home for a long period of time:

• Notify the Neighbors - Let only the neighbors you can trust know when you are leaving for any length or period of time. Instruct them to call police if they see any suspicious vehicles at or near your property for any length of time. That's the police's job, "to serve and protect".
• Lock all Doors and Windows - Don't leave spare keys outside. Burglars and Surveillancers know of common places to hide keys too!
• Lock the Garage door - most people have an automatic garage door. If your leaving for any length of time, unplug the garage door opener if you can, and physically lock the door. Most times, if you leave the garage door opener unplugged but "engaged", this can also serve as a lock.
• Maintain the property - Cut the grass, trim the hedges, have someone pick up the mail and take out the trash.. If their is no trash to take out, have the neighbor donate you some of his.

Security for your vehicle

• Lock your Vehicle at all times - No matter how good of a neighborhood you live in.
• Buy a "Club_tm" or other type of mechanical vehicle lock.
• Install a security system - If you can afford it, do so, no matter how much the vehicle is worth. If you get a more expensive system, just someone touching the vehicle will set it off. Two points here, no one will steal your car or be able to install a vehicle tracking device.
• Maintain your vehicle - If you need to get away in a hurry, it's a good idea that the vehicle is in top condition. The suspension, brakes, tires and engine should be in the best condition you can afford. 

  At a generalized viewpoint, if you decide to follow some of the informational tips above, even though most are common sense, there should be a major difference in the way you now view your own privacy and security. Spending a small amount of time, consideration and money to upgrade your security and privacy will be well worth the extra effort.