Practical Skills and Strategies

[MUSIC] 0:00 Now that we've covered the basics, let's get into practical skills and strategies 0:05 to help you stay safe and maintain control over your personal information online. 0:09 Your data is valuable and every app or 0:13 website you interact with collects some level of personal information, 0:15 the key is to set boundaries and control what you share. 0:20 This is especially important for people from marginalized communities who are more 0:23 vulnerable to data exploitation or surveillance. 0:27 Start by asking yourself, what do I want this app or service to know about me? 0:30 It's important to be mindful of the information you provide, whether it's 0:35 your location, photos or personal details like your phone number or home address. 0:39 Here are some steps you can take to protect your privacy Check your app 0:43 permissions. 0:47 Many apps request access to your location, camera, contacts, 0:49 and microphone, but they don't always need it to function. 0:52 Review and limit what permissions you give, on iPhones, go to settings, 0:56 then privacy and security. 1:00 On Android, navigate to settings, security and privacy and then permissions Manager. 1:02 Be cautious with your personal data, whether it's on social media or 1:08 dating apps. 1:12 Think twice before sharing personal information like your real time location, 1:13 your job title, or your children's photos. 1:17 This is particularly important in communities that are often subject to 1:20 surveillance or targeted marketing, respect others privacy. 1:24 Privacy is always a collective effort, always get consent before tagging people 1:28 on social media or sharing someone's contact information. 1:33 This is especially important for 1:36 individuals who may be more vulnerable to online exploitation, 1:38 like immigrants or people from other marginalized communities. 1:41 Scam, identification, and protection, we've discussed some common scams, but 1:44 it's important to be able to spot new ones. 1:48 The Internet is constantly evolving and so are the scammers tactics. 1:51 Some communities, particularly those with less access to digital literacy, 1:55 are disproportionately targeted by scammers, including immigrant populations 1:59 or low income individuals who may be searching for jobs or 2:04 quick financial relief. 2:07 Here are some ways you can protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited messages, 2:08 whether it's an email or text or a social media dm, 2:13 if you weren't expecting it, treat it with caution. 2:16 Messages that ask for personal details or 2:20 include links are a red flag, verify before you click. 2:23 If you receive a link, double check the source, 2:27 for example, if your bank sends you a link, make sure the URL is accurate. 2:30 For example, you want to look for chase.com instead of chase.net, 2:34 scammers often use URLs that are slightly altered to appear legitimate. 2:38 Here's a real life example, imagine you receive an email saying that you've 2:43 won a prize or there is an urgent security issue on your account. 2:47 Before clicking, check for signs of phishing, bad grammar, urgent language, or 2:50 unfamiliar links. 2:55 Always verify the sender's identity through another method, for example, 2:56 you can call your bank directly to double check. 3:00 Scams evolve, so should you, 3:03 scams that exploit emerging technology like deepfakes are becoming more common. 3:05 Deepfakes use AI to create realistic fake videos or audio recordings, 3:10 tricking people into thinking they're real. 3:14 Marginalized communities are particularly at risk when these technologies are used 3:17 to spread disinformation or fraud. 3:22 Stay skeptical when something seems off, especially when it comes to requests for 3:24 money or personal information. 3:28 Use the bbb's anti scam tools to further enhance your ability to recognize and 3:30 report scams. 3:35 Consider utilizing resources offered by our partners at the bbb, 3:37 the Better Business Bureau. 3:40 Their anti scam tools provide up to date information on new scam tactics and 3:42 advice on how to protect yourself and your community from fraudulent activities. 3:46 Visit the website to access these resources and 3:51 stay one step ahead of scammers. 3:53 Navigating social media protecting your digital footprint 3:55 social media is a great place to stay connected, but 3:58 it's also a place where you leave behind a digital footprint. 4:01 Here's how you can learn to manage it safely, limit what you share publicly, 4:04 don't post about where you are in real time. 4:09 For example, wait until you've left a restaurant or vacation spot to post. 4:11 This helps prevent people from tracking your exact movements, 4:16 a risk that can be heightened for 4:20 those in vulnerable communities such as women, LGBTQ individuals, or 4:22 immigrants who are often targeted for online harassment or doxxing. 4:26 Create separate accounts, particularly for 4:31 those individuals in marginalized groups who may face more online scrutiny. 4:33 Use the Block Party App for additional control over what you see and 4:38 what you share on social media, consider using the Block Party App. 4:41 This tool helps you filter out unwanted interactions and content, 4:46 enhancing your privacy and security online. 4:49 It's especially useful for those who face harassment or unwanted contact 4:52 on social media platforms, use the link below to check out the app. 4:56 Private versus public settings, privacy settings are a powerful way to 5:00 control who can see your posts, your personal information, and your activity. 5:05 Making your account private or limiting certain information can make it harder for 5:09 scammers or malicious actors to find and exploit your data. 5:14 But remember, privacy doesn't always mean security, 5:18 just because your profile is private doesn't mean you're automatically 5:21 safe from cyber threats like phishing or hacking. 5:25 That's why being secure is a non negotiable privacy is a choice. 5:28 Some people might want to keep their profiles open for professional reasons or 5:32 to engage with a larger audience, and that's completely valid. 5:36 But security requires taking essential steps like using multi factor 5:40 authentication, strong passwords, and keeping your software up to date. 5:44 No matter how public or private your account is, 5:48 security measures are critical for staying safe. 5:51 Remember, your digital footprint lasts, 5:54 everything you post can be screenshotted or recorded. 5:56 Before sharing something personal or sensitive, 6:00 think about how it might be used by somebody else. 6:02 For individuals from vulnerable communities, 6:05 the lasting nature of digital content can have serious real world consequences. 6:07

You need to sign up for Treehouse in order to set up Workspace

Sign up