Information exposure and seniors

Seniors generally buy into a few myths about information exposure online. The first myth is that if you don’t use a computer you aren’t exposed online. In reality, just because YOU didn’t put information online doesn’t mean it isn’t there – virtually everyone has information online that has been placed there by several sources.

Here are a few examples:

• Publicly available government records will show if you own a home, vote, have a criminal record (or speeding ticket), and much more.

• Your home is listed online and its image is available through any Internet mapping service.

• Unless you have been very careful to ensure your phone number isn’t in a phone book, it’s online. Even if you have been careful, type it into any browser window and see if it brings back your information – chances are that it will.

• If you donate to a charity without doing so anonymously the charity’s Web site probably lists you among all their donors as a thank you.

• If you volunteer with an organization, belong to a church group, sports group, action committee, and so on, chances are they list you on their Web site.

• If your grandchild has a blog (an online journal) your name, location, and income may have been mentioned online.

• If a relative enjoys genealogy, your name and your relatives names may be online.

The second myth is that if you haven’t fallen for an Internet scam you won’t be the victim of an Internet crime. The truth is that you may never know what the Internet connection is (or even if there was one) in most crimes. For example, information found online may give a criminal the incentive and means to rob your home or steal your identity.

The third myth is that the information you post online will only be looked at by people who you know. Actually everything on the Internet is being copied and referenced – constantly. Even if you take your information off the Internet, a copy of it may still be there. Reduce exposure by removing personally identifiable information from anything you or family members post online.