Your online activity creates a treasure trove of data, but you can help control how your personal information is collected, shared and used. In support of Data Privacy Week, Information Technology Services recommends five simple steps to protect the online story of you:
- Be mindful of what you share. Avoid posting too much personal information on social media. Details like your high school, current city, or birthdate can make it easier for identity thieves. Consider making your profiles private on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok.
- Collect only necessary information. Whether you're an employee handling student data or managing your own information, only collect or share what's essential for legitimate purposes. This aligns with University policy and helps protect privacy.
- Browse privately. Use incognito or private browsing modes to prevent the storage of your search history, temporary internet files or cookies. Another alternative is an anonymous search engine like StartPage or DuckDuckGo.
- Control app permissions. When apps request access to your personal information, evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Be cautious if the requested data isn't relevant to the service provided.
- Change your privacy settings. Regularly check and customize the privacy and security settings for your apps and browsers. The National Cybersecurity Alliance has a helpful Manage Your Privacy Settings page with links to dozens of popular services.
Learn more about protecting yourself at defendyourdata.wvu.edu.