I'll agree that the best way of avoiding your personal information getting stolen is not to put it out there to begin with, but like it or not, in all likelihood they probably already have personal info floating around online. It's unavoidable in today's world.
Reputable sites like Amazon's use SSL encryption to secure passwords and credit card numbers. Most banking websites are really secure too. If you also use technologies like 2-factor authentication, your account is even more secure. As long as you only use reputable websites, your personal info is relatively safe online.
Yes, there have been a few instances where even reputable sites have been broken into and customer data has been leaked:
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
eBay
JPMorgan Chase
Home Depot
Sony
Target
Citibank
But if you look at most of these cases, aside from eBay, your personal info may very well have been leaked without you ever having gone online. And the truth is, you're just as likely to have your personal info stolen by other methods. You may have swiped your card at an ATM or a gas station without noticing a card "skimmer" attached. Maybe you went to use your card somewhere, and it "didn't read" so you handed it across the counter to the cashier, who keyed it in manually. Maybe they kept a copy of your credit card numbers, maybe they didn't. Or maybe you handed your card over to a waiter at a restaurant, there's no telling what they may have done before handing it back to you. Ever apply for a credit card or a loan on paper? Whoever "processed" your application (which most likely just means entering it into a computer system which you probably could have done directly online) would likely have ample opportunity to make a copy for themselves. Ever have your taxes done by someone else? How well did you know them beforehand? Even when filling out basic paperwork for a new job, your personal data goes through their HR staff, who you've likely just met for the first time.
So no matter what you do, your personal information isn't safe. You might as well face the facts. Your personal data isn't "yours" anymore. Unless you've only worked under the table, for cash, don't have a bank account (or social security number, for that matter), have never had a credit card, purchased your car, house, etc. with cash, you get the idea. Your personal info is most likely stored in several databases that are all somehow connected to the internet. Might as well go ahead and go online, because whether you like it or not, your info is already there.
If that all doesn't convince your parents that they might as well get internet, at least it will probably scare the shit out of them.
Reputable sites like Amazon's use SSL encryption to secure passwords and credit card numbers. Most banking websites are really secure too. If you also use technologies like 2-factor authentication, your account is even more secure. As long as you only use reputable websites, your personal info is relatively safe online.
Yes, there have been a few instances where even reputable sites have been broken into and customer data has been leaked:
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
eBay
JPMorgan Chase
Home Depot
Sony
Target
Citibank
But if you look at most of these cases, aside from eBay, your personal info may very well have been leaked without you ever having gone online. And the truth is, you're just as likely to have your personal info stolen by other methods. You may have swiped your card at an ATM or a gas station without noticing a card "skimmer" attached. Maybe you went to use your card somewhere, and it "didn't read" so you handed it across the counter to the cashier, who keyed it in manually. Maybe they kept a copy of your credit card numbers, maybe they didn't. Or maybe you handed your card over to a waiter at a restaurant, there's no telling what they may have done before handing it back to you. Ever apply for a credit card or a loan on paper? Whoever "processed" your application (which most likely just means entering it into a computer system which you probably could have done directly online) would likely have ample opportunity to make a copy for themselves. Ever have your taxes done by someone else? How well did you know them beforehand? Even when filling out basic paperwork for a new job, your personal data goes through their HR staff, who you've likely just met for the first time.
So no matter what you do, your personal information isn't safe. You might as well face the facts. Your personal data isn't "yours" anymore. Unless you've only worked under the table, for cash, don't have a bank account (or social security number, for that matter), have never had a credit card, purchased your car, house, etc. with cash, you get the idea. Your personal info is most likely stored in several databases that are all somehow connected to the internet. Might as well go ahead and go online, because whether you like it or not, your info is already there.
If that all doesn't convince your parents that they might as well get internet, at least it will probably scare the shit out of them.
Last edited by RHOPKINS13,
I have been used internet for many many years.. over 12 years and don't have a problem so far. Surely, they hacked my email accounts and something like that but I changed the password immediately. As long as your email account is not important then you are absolutely fine!
