More and more service providers ask that you use your real name in email addresses and online accounts. This is to ensure people are accountable and not hiding behind a fictional handle.
Private is Public
Even a private email can be accidentally forwarded to a stranger. Anything you put online, on twitter, on Facebook, and even in email, can be found and may be admissible to court or searched by a potential bosses. Border guards can search phones. You can’t control who sees something once it has left your computer.
Even accounts that are set to private can have computer glitches that switch them to public for a brief time.
Caution: Don’t share everything
Don’t share your address, phone number, social security number, and driver’s license information. You don’t want to make things easy for identity thieves, burglars, and predators.
Commonly quizzes ask for your date of birth, maiden name and other security questions for banking information. It can be a scam. Don’t get phished. Phishing is when you get your information stolen for fraud.
Don’t forward every “fact sheet” you get since many are urban legends or may carry viruses on the back of your good intent.
Spam
Any email that tells you that your computer needs a security update is junk mail. Never buy things or share your credit card or banking information with a service that sells itself by email.
If the letter is from a stranger wishing to transfer money, from the Canadian Revenue Agency, anyone needing money transferred immediately, give you virus protection software, give you a cheap vacation, or trying to sell you home repairs by email, it’s fraud.
Blocking
On Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn if someone is harassing you can block them from seeing or contacting you. If there is someone you don’t wish to hear from, you can enter their email address and block them before they contact you.
Other Cyber-Safety Information:
Ottawa police advice for fraud prevention
RCMP on Bullying and Scams
Get Cyber-Safe with tips on fraud and respect
Kids and the Internet by the Safety Council
Internet-safe resources for children