Using the Internet Safely For Seniors

Figure 2-2

Information about you and your Internet-connected

devices is collected from a variety of sources. Some is

information that you’ve posted to sites, some comes

from other people who know you, and some is placed

online by companies, organizations, and the govern-

ment. See Chapter 7 for more about protecting your

information online and understanding how others

may expose you.

How Posted Information May Be Used against You

Every piece of information you or others post about you and every

action you take online has commercial value to someone. That isn’t

necessarily a bad thing, if it simply helps companies target your inter-

ests and preferences, but your information may be used in negative and

sometimes criminal ways. For example, it might be used by

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Part I: The Foundation of Using the Internet Safely