Personally Identifiable Information - Essay Example

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Introduction The use of the digital technologies in processing information exposes usersto the risk of losing the vital personal information to fraudsters. While computers have revolutionized numerous aspects of human life including communication and economics, the same technology has equally presented numerous risks. Cybercrime refers to a unique type of criminal activities carried out through the internet. This implies that users must employ appropriate measures in order to curb the infiltration of privacy and the loss of vital personal information on the digital formats. Cyber criminals use numerous technologies in forcing entrance into personal accounts thus obtaining valuable personal information most of which have financial value. It thus becomes prudent for users to understand the technologies effectively thus employing appropriate technology and measures to curb the spread of such costly vises. In order to cushion themselves from such risks, users must ensure to keep their personal information secure in both online and offline platforms. Online platforms refer to the platforms found on the internet. People often store their personal information on the cyber space on such media as emails, social media among other types of online accounts (Fafinski, 2009). Offline platforms on the other hand refer to the use of digital technology in storing data without necessarily connecting to the internet. Such media as smart phones, computers and media players have digital storage spaces. Storing data on such platforms do not require any internet connection but the information stored therein face eminent risk of destruction and unauthorized access features that require effective management in order to prevent. Disclosing personal information online is often the main cause of such loses. This implies that users of such technologies must use the technologies cautiously. Among the scenarios that often require disclosure of such information, include online shopping, online games, online competitions and subscribing to the numerous online services. Using such services therefor3e require extreme caution. In order to prevent the loss of personal information while taking part in such important online activities, users must always investigate the authenticity of both the services and the service providers. Users must take care and engage only the legitimate companies. Engaging legitimate companies and understanding their terms and conditions are important since it becomes possible to investigate cases of loss of personal information. Legitimate companies have elaborate laws to govern their operations. Furthermore, such companies often take responsibilities thus compensating their aggrieved clients. Users of the internet must limit sharing their contact details, login information and financial information to people they meet online. Spam is a form of cybercrime through which unscrupulous people fill an individual’s account with useless messages with the view of obtaining their valuable details. Additionally, cyber criminals can easily impersonate a legitimate user by taking over the management of their accounts thus using them to commit crimes. This underscores the need for users to limit sharing their personal information especially with strangers while logged into the internet. The social media often present users with the temptation to share personal information with strangers. Doing so compounds the risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime (Easttom, 2010). Making online transactions is risky processes that just as discussed above require users to engage in such transactions carefully. Besides giving personal details, users must always give their financial details besides making financial commitments. Such are therefore precarious transactions that present users with the risk of losing their assets. In order to curb such, users must use specific credit or debit cards with appropriate protection. Furthermore, some payment companies offer appropriate one-time transaction cards. Such are appropriate since a user loads money into the card before proceeding with the transactions. This way, any unauthorized user attempting to trail the transactions is does not obtain any money in the credit and debit cards. Such are effective ways of minimizing the risk of losing money among other assets in cases of online transactions. Offline platforms have equally proportionate security risks. Smart phones and laptops are often prone to theft, crashes and virus attack. Such are potential ways of losing vital personal information. As such, users must employ appropriate technologies and measures in order curb the loss of personal information. Backups are the most appropriate way of safeguarding the loss of personal files in case of thefts, fires, destruction and crashes among many other technical malfunctions. Digital files are easily to duplicate and store. As such, backups refer to duplicating copies of the files and storing them in different media such as external hard drives, flash drives and even compact disks. Through such media, a user would still have his or her data even after the loss or destruction of the media. Numerous other measures apply to both online and offline platforms. The use of passwords for example is a sure way of curbing unfathomed access of personal information stored on the digital platforms. Passwords and personal identity numbers are unique digits that the computer system recognizes before permitting access into the protected files. The digits are unique and known only to the specific user (Fafinski, 2009). This way, it becomes difficult for strangers to log onto another person’s computer, smart phones or even accounts without their permission. Guessing such digits is often gruesome and impractical. They therefore present the most appropriate way of protecting personal information on both the offline and online media. However, just as discussed above, users must limit sharing such digits with other people. In retrospect, using information processing technologies especially the digital technologies are the most effective ways of enhancing integration in the contemporary society besides enhancing commercial activities. Such telecommunication technologies such as the internet and its associated inventions such as the social media have succeeded in developing a global village. While such enhances economic activities, it heightens the risk of losing vital personal information as people continue to use such technologies. Users of such technologies must therefore uphold high ethical standards besides using appropriate techniques to curb the threat of unauthorized access of personal data. The use of passwords, limiting sharing of log in details, using appropriate antiviruses and backing up data are some of the most appropriate way of curbing the loss of persona information on such digital media. References Brenner, S. (2007). Law in an Era of Smart Technology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Easttom C. (2010). Computer Crime Investigation and the Law. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Fafinski, S. (2009). Computer Misuse: Response, regulation and the law. Cullompton: Willan Read More