This document provides a primer on online privacy. It discusses being careful about what personal information is posted online, as anything posted can be copied and shared. Strong passwords and up-to-date security software should be used to protect accounts from hackers. Tracking cookies can be used by advertisers to track browsing habits across sites, but they can be deleted or blocked. Mobile apps may access location data unless privacy settings are checked, and public conversations and device screens should be mindful of potential eavesdroppers. Facebook provides privacy settings to control what is shared and with whom.

1. PRIVACY PRIMER
A short course on online privacy by
Larry Magid
Co-director, ConnectSafely.org
Founder, SafeKids.com
larry@ConnectSafely.org

2. Watch what you post
• The biggest risk to our privacy is what we post ourselves
• Be aware that anything you post online can be copied and
pasted
• If it’s really embarrassing or really a secret, don’t post it
online, even if you have the tightest possible privacy
settings

3. Keep hackers at bay
• All privacy bets are off if hackers get user names and passwords
or break into one of your accounts
• Even if you practice great security, there is always a chance of a
data breach at some company or agency with access to your
data

4. Security tips
• Use strong passwords, change them periodically and don’t use
the same password for multiple accounts
• Check your online credit and bank accounts
• Use security software and keep it and your operating system
and applications up-to-date
• Use WiFi security
• Use the privacy tools associated with your social networks
• Only provide personal or financial information to websites you
know and trust
• Be aware of the mobile and social networking apps you’re
using
• Know how to use your browser’s private or “ingonito” mode and
how to erase the history from your browser.

5. How tracking cookies work
1. You visit a website that has an ad on it that’s placed by
one of the advertising networks. The ad is delivered
from a server owned by the advertising network
2. The network puts a cookie on your machine that
records the ad that was shown and the site you visited
3. When you visit another site that displays ads from the
same network, the cookie is updated
with information about the current ad and current site.
4. Over a period of time the network can get a pretty good
idea of sites in its network that you’ve visited

6. How to delete & block tracking cookies
• Many security products can be used to remove tracking
cookies and the major browsers also have tools to
remove them
• DoubleClick, which is owned by
Google, offers instructions on how to opt out of cookies
• All the browser companies have agreed to include a “do
not track” feature in future browsers, but tracking will be
the default setting unless you change it. Mozilla
Firefox, the first to implement this feature

7. Control mobile location sharing
• Some mobile apps are designed to share your
location: Use them thoughtfully and only share
with those you trust.
• Review setting periodically. A “friend” could
become an ex-friend.
• Pay attention to the permissions on all mobile
apps. Only use location-aware apps that you
trust

8. Don’t overlook the “obvious”
• Watch what you say on your phone while you’re in
public — people around you might be listening
• Be aware of others viewing your screen. Consider
getting a privacy screen for your laptop
• Shred your old financial records and other confidential
documents before throwing them in the trash
or recycling bin

9. Facebook privacy settings
Access general privacy settings by clicking down arrow in upper
right corner
And then clicking on “Privacy Settings”

10. Facebook inline privacy controls
• Whenever you add content, you can select the audience
• Be aware that whatever audience you last
selected remains for subsequent posts until you
change it

11. Facebook system-wide settings

12. Control those apps

13. THANK YOU
Larry Magid
Co-director, ConnectSafely.org
Founder, SafeKids.com
larry@ConnectSafely.org