Internet Security

Propped by an e-mail I received, I think that I need to remind my family and friends that the Internet is a public place. Any thing that you place on the Internet can potentially be seen by every hacker and cracker (a hacker gone bad) on the net. Therefore if you want to send across the Internet information that is confidential, or information that can be readily turned into cash or prizes, you need to encrypt that information before sending it.

Never send or post in plain text:

Be careful about sending or posting

	Credit card numbers
	Social security number
	Bank account numbers
	Calling card numbers
	Passwords
	PIN numbers

	Home address
	Home phone numbers
	Personal 800 or 888 numbers
	Travel plans (ok after you return home or if someone will be watching your home while your away)

Remember the Internet is a form of public transportation.

If you need to send sensitive information across the Internet use an encryption program. I am using PGP for my personal encryption and digital signature needs, and have been impressed with it. If you would like to send an encrypted message to me please use my PGP public key.

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