Just How Safe Are We?

No more anonymity

In an article published by the Pew Research Center, it discusses the rise of distrust that Americans have for the protection of their online information. This distrust has only risen with recent email hacking scandals like the release of emails from the Democratic National Committee.

According to this article, "a majority of Americans (64%) have personally experienced a major data breach, and relatively large shares of public lack trust in key institutions-especially the federal government and social media sites- to protect their personal information". The image below outlines just how much trust is actually placed in certain institutions when it comes to their online information:

However, another thing that this article stresses is that most Americans fail to do what is recommended to keep their information safe by using a password management software. The image below the shows percentages of the techniques used for passwords.The number one technique used to keep track of their online passwords is by memorizing what their passwords in their head.

I too have a major concern when it comes to online security. With the rise of technology and social media, it is easy to gain information from someone who is as close as down the road or as far as being an ocean away.  My mother works in Human Resources and part of the hiring process for many private companies. There are have been several occasions where she has had to turn down people for certain job positions because of the presence and content that they publish on social media.

 I personally have had my Facebook account hacked on multiple different occasions and have had to change my password. There have also been several occasions when fraudulent charges have been placed on several of my mother's different online services and she has either had to change her password or cancel that online service completely.

I personally believe that it has become way too easy for people to gain online information. However, if we as Americans are not at least willing to put in any kind of effort to protect our information, like using a password management program as recommended, how can we expect other institutions to take the protection of our information and privacy?