Protecting my privacy
What can I do to protect my privacy?
There are some things you can do to protect your privacy when using online services.
- Create a strong password for your account.
- Do not share your password or security question.
- If you share a computer or use public computers, make sure to clear your browser history and cache after logging out. Each browser will have a different way to do this. For further information:
- Remember to log out and close your browser to prevent others from being able to view your information later.
- Disable the "auto complete" function of your login IDs or passwords to prevent anyone else using your computer from having instant access.
- Do not leave your password written down where other people can find it.
- Create a separate email account that you use just for GetCheckedOnline if you do not want emails coming to your regular email address.
Tips for creating a strong password:
- Length. Make your passwords long with eight or more characters.
Complexity. Include letters, punctuation, symbols, and numbers. Use the entire keyboard, not just the letters and characters you use or see most often. The greater the variety of characters in your password, the better. Passwords should contain at least 5 unique characters and should contain at least one character from each of the following groups:
- Lower case alphabets
- Upper case alphabets
- Numbers
- Special Characters
Variation. To keep strong passwords effective, change them often. Set an automatic reminder for yourself to change your password every 3 months. Don't use the same password for everything.
Acronyms. Think of a phrase that is easy for you to recall and use acronyms. Use the first letter of each word in a phrase that is easy to recall. Be extra safe by including symbols like pound or dollar signs or numbers in the middle of the password or between letters.
Avoid obvious passwords. This includes family or pet names, birthdays, street names and telephone numbers that might be easy for others to figure out or that can be found in your purse, wallet, laptop bag or briefcase.
- Avoid using passwords that are real words.