 Quick Guide To Privacy and Security
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Randy Lee -
your Mailshell guide to:
Privacy and Security
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What are some Internet privacy issues?
The Internet has made gathering information very easy. There are many databases that contain information about you. In addition, many websites track your activities on the Net. Each time you sign up for goods or services on the Web, your personal information may be sold to marketers. Once your name is sold to marketers, you are likely to be inundated with junk email. The most common information that websites gather from you includes:
- Your email address. Email is one of the most effective way for marketers to reach you. Many websites including your Internet Service Provider may sell your email address to marketers.
- Your phone number. Your phone number may be given away to telemarketers. This can be the most annoying form of direct marketing.
- Your postal address. Your postal address may be sold to marketers and you may start receiving junk mail.
- Cookies left on your browser. Cookies contain information about your computer and surfing habits. This information allows marketers to send ads that match your preferences.
What are some ways to keep my personal information private?
Most websites link personal information to your email address. If your personal information fits a certain profile, they will sell your email address to marketers. Below are some ways to protect your personal information.
- Use Mailshell to protect your Email! Our service is designed to keep your email address private. Most services only ask for your email address in exchange for their services. You will be able to sign up anonymously through Mailshell and protect your email address from unsolicited marketers.
- Do not fill out optional information. Only fill out the required information. The less people know about you, the better.
- Required information doesn't have to be accurate. If the website is not sending anything to your mailing address, you don't need to fill out a real one. The same is true for your phone number. Providing false information, however, may be a violation of the site's terms.
- Obtain a free phone number. There are many services that provide a free phone number for fax and voicemail. Use Mailshell to sign up so the phone number cannot be linked back to your email address. You can then use this phone number to register for services that ask for a phone number.
- Disable cookies. You can set your browser to reject cookies, but most sites require your browser to have cookies enabled for you to sign up. Fortunately, there are services that can protect your browser from unwanted cookies.
- Send secured Email. Email is not secured, but there are tools available that allows your email to be read only by you and the recipient. Do not send personal information such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, or passwords in email.
What services does Randy Lee recommend to protect your privacy?
- Recommended Authors.
- Recommended Topics.
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