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To Mark Data Privacy Day, AnchorFree CEO Offers 5 Online Privacy Tips to Protect You and Your Family
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, Jan 24, 2013 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --
This Data Privacy Day on Monday, January 28th, AnchorFree is joining
forces with the National Cyber Security Alliance to offer some simple
tips and tools to empower consumers to protect their online privacy.
"Americans are twice as likely to be victims of identity theft than
they are to have their homes broken into," said David Gorodyansky,
founder and CEO of AnchorFree, maker of Hotspot Shield, one of the
world's most popular online privacy tools. "We spend billions every
year on keeping our homes safe, yet relatively few are even aware of
the growing threats they and their families face every time they go
online."
Every year, more than 11 million U.S. adults are victims of identity
fraud (1), and an estimated $110 billion is lost as a result of
cybercrime (2). By making minor adjustments to their online habits,
consumers can take an active role in safeguarding their online
identities and take privacy back into their own hands. To mark the
31st Annual Data Privacy Day, Gorodyansky recommends these helpful
tips for keeping your family's online data and reputation private and
secure:
1. Risky business - Make sure all family members understand the
public nature of the Internet and its risks. Any digital information
they share -- emails, photos or videos -- can easily be copied and
pasted elsewhere, and is almost impossible to take back. Anything
that could damage their reputation, friendships, wallet or future
prospects should not be shared electronically.
2. Keep it hidden, keep it safe - Make sure all family members are
careful about sharing sensitive information such as birth date,
addresses, phone numbers, location, financial information, social
security numbers, passwords and vacation plans. Most reputable online
services have privacy settings. Teach your kids how to use them, too.
3. Browse intelligently - Avoid using sketchy, unfamiliar websites,
and delete suspicious emails, particularly those that ask for
unnecessary personal information or request that you download
something. These may be malware or phishing sites out to steal your
personal data.
4. Turn off geolocation - Many apps' permissions include backdoor
location trackers that are constantly streaming your location. If
you're not actively using your phone to navigate, turn them off. The
FTC recently noted that many apps aimed at children are disclosing
location; make sure your kids are following this rule of thumb as
well.
5. Get behind a shield - Use a VPN such as Hotspot Shield, which will
help identify malware sites and provide a secure, encrypted
connection to the Internet for desktop or mobile devices, protecting
your browsing from hackers and snoops. This is particularly important
when using public Wi-Fi or other unknown networks.
More tips and resources to help your family stay safe online are
available on the National Cyber Security Alliance's website.
AnchorFree, the global leader in consumer security and Internet
freedom, believes in placing consumers in control of their personal
information online. With more than 100 million downloads on PCs,
Macs, iOS and Android platforms, AnchorFree's Hotspot Shield allows
users to browse the Web free from privacy and security concerns,
access all Internet content from anywhere in the world and -- on
phones -- save money on their data plans.
"Whether you're a teenager whose life revolves around your social
networks, a professional who's constantly surfing the Web on the go
or a parent keeping an eye on your child's online habits, you are
entrusting more information to the public realm than ever before,"
says Gorodyansky. "And yet few of us are taking the proper -- and
very simple -- precautions against cybercrime."
A few facts to consider:
-- Americans are almost six times more likely to have their personal data
compromised than they are to be injured in a car accident.
-- Victims of identity theft spend an average of 165 hours repairing the
damage caused by fraudulent accounts (3).
-- An identity is stolen once every three seconds (4).
"Just like wearing a seatbelt or locking our front doors, we have
simple and accessible means to protect our online lives," says
Gorodyansky. "But with so many Americans falling victim to identity
fraud every year, it's clear we're not making the most of those
tools. Data Privacy Day comes only once a year, but it's a great
reminder that we're all responsible for our own online privacy, and
doing so is as easy as clicking that seatbelt or securing your home."
Data Privacy Day is an international day of awareness to educate
consumers about privacy and safeguarding their personal information.
Led by The National Cyber Security Alliance, a non-profit
public-private partnership focused on cybersecurity education for all
online citizens, Data Privacy Day commemorates the 1981 signing of
Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty
dealing with privacy and data protection.
About AnchorFree
AnchorFree believes in placing consumers in control
of their personal information online. The company's mission is to
enable secure access to the world's information for an addressable
market of 5 billion people who access the Web through computers or
mobile devices. AnchorFree does this through Hotspot Shield, the
world's most popular app for safe browsing. Hotspot Shield secures
all Internet communications, protects the user's identity online, and
provides universal access to all Internet content. Hotspot Shield is
available for PC, Mac, Apple iOS, and Android platforms at
www.AnchorFree.com and www.HotspotShield.com. AnchorFree is a
privately held, venture-backed company based in Mountain View,
California.
(1) Javelin Strategy and Research
(2) Norton Cybercrime Report
(3)
Home Security Source
(4) Home Security Source
Nick Shepherd or Charlotte Crawford
415-625-8555
hotspotshield@launchsquad.com
SOURCE: AnchorFree
mailto:hotspotshield@launchsquad.com
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