with. If the information is general in nature or restricted to a site that
isn’t available to the general public, there should be little risk in sharing
it. However, if the information identifies you, your possessions, or some-
one else in some way, you want to limit access to that information.
Here are some categories of information you may want to consider as
you determine what you’re comfortable sharing — or having others
share about you publicly. This list doesn’t presume to be a definitive
inventory of identifying information, but it can get you thinking about
what you share and where you share it.
➟ Identifying information: birth year, birth date,
zodiac sign, social security number, city, state, hob-
bies, emotional state.
➟ Addresses:This includes home and work addresses,
as well as any other location you visit regularly,
Consider what information goes in birth, wedding,
graduation, and death announcements.
➟ Phone numbers:This includes home, mobile phone,
work number, and friends’ numbers.
➟ Personal numbers:Bank accounts, credit cards, debit
cards, PINs, phone calling card, SSN, passport, dri-
ver’s license number, birth date, wedding date, insur-
ance policy numbers, loan numbers, VIN numbers,
license plate, and more.
➟ Information rich photos: A perfectly innocent photo
can reveal more than you think. You might put your-
self, family members, or friends at risk by posting
photos that show where you live or work, for exam-
ple. Learn more in Chapter 6.
Don’t place information about others online without
first obtaining their express permission. And ask your
friends and family to do the same for you.53Chapter 3: Raise Your Safety Bar Today