Internet Security: Stay Safe Online

An e-mail warns that your personal information has been compromised. What should you do?

by: Liz Weston | from: AARP The Magazine | Sept./Oct. 2011 issue

En español | Dear Liz: I've just received an e-mail notice from an online retailer warning me that my e-mail address was "compromised." But it's not clear what the risk is or what I should do. Should I worry?

Illustration of computer monitor with dark figure peering through venitian blinds. Protecting the privacy of your finances, by Liz Weston

When it comes to internet security, it's important to take precautions. — Illustration by Keith Negley

Yes. Ignoring these data breaches is a mistake. If your information was hacked, you are four times more likely to have your identity stolen the year after the breach than the general public is.

Even something as innocuous as a stolen e-mail address puts you at risk, because criminals can use it to better target their attacks. A scammer could send you a fake e-mail from your bank to trick you into handing over your account password.

That's why privacy advocates are so concerned about the vast amount of personal data that companies are collecting, both online and off-. Our mobile phones map our location, loyalty cards reveal what we buy, and our Web-browsing habits are tracked by companies that sell the information to advertisers. Congress is considering "Do Not Track" legislation, which would allow Web users to opt out of data collecting. But for now it's up to you to keep your finances private.

To limit tracking, enable your browser's privacy setting, which prevents websites from installing "cookies" that can monitor your movements. (See the browser's "Help" menu for details.) Use different passwords for sites that require them, and change them every few months.

Next: How to spot an internet fraud. >>