A reminder to think carefully about the data you put on the internet.

Whilst assisting people with their computers I often see situations where people are using internet based services that I would think twice about using. When you put your information on the internet you need to think about how you are exposing yourself, or possibly your clients’ information.

Most businesses I know use mailing list software where all their customer contact details reside on the internet. If people gained access to your mailing list would that exposure you. Others are using storage services on the internet to store their and their clients’ information. That could be an exposure to yourself and your clients. Are you sure your client would be OK if they knew their information was being stored on the internet?

The problem is you don’t know in advance what your exposure is and often you don’t think about it. For me it is quite concerning. Everyone is storing their data on the internet without thinking about their added exposure and haven’t considered the implications of the exposure. Many businesses have closed down as a result of their data being hacked. Smaller businesses often aren’t aware they could be exposed.

I read recently about how tens of thousands of Twitter accounts were posted on the internet (Thousands of Twitter passwords exposed... Read More). That article led me to the article about the co-founder of Apple and that Woz’ Twitter account had been hacked (It appears that the Apple co-founder's Twitter account may have been hacked by someone who earned $781 today working from home.... Read More).

I share these articles to let others know that accounts on the internet are being hacked. If you know it is happening then you can consider the implications of your online accounts being hacked and review your exposure.

We can’t eliminate risk in life. All we can do is manage the risk and minimise where possible.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
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