From the desk of Jason Balderama, CISO, County of Marin

In January, Data Privacy Week is an annual international effort to raise awareness about the importance of protecting personal information and respecting privacy. In today’s digital world, safeguarding data is a shared responsibility at work, school, and home.

Personal data such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, account names and passwords, financial information, and health data can be exploited if it falls into the wrong hands. Data Privacy Week is a great time to make sure your personal information is only shared with people and services you trust.

Review Privacy Settings in Online Accounts

Most online services allow you to control how your information is used and shared. Take time to:

• Open the Privacy or Security section in account settings. Tip: Look for sections labeled Privacy, Security, Data & Permissions, or Account Controls.
• Review what personal information is visible to others.
• Limit data sharing with third-party apps or services.
• Disable features that track your activity or location unless necessary.
• Opt out of personalized ads or data sharing where available.

Check Social Media Privacy Settings

Social media platforms collect and display more information than many users realize.

• Set your profile to Friends Only or Private, if available.
• Review who can see your posts, photos, and contact information.
• Limit who can search for you using your email address or phone number.
• Turn off public location sharing and facial recognition features.
• Review tagged photos and require approval before they appear on your profile.
• Remove old posts that include sensitive personal details.
• Unlink social media accounts from third-party apps you no longer use. 

Review App Permissions on Mobile Devices

Many apps request access to data that may not be necessary for their function.

• Review app permissions (camera, microphone, location, contacts).
• Remove permissions that are not essential.
• Delete apps you no longer use.
• Limit location access to “While Using the App” instead of “Always.”

Manage Browser and Online Tracking Settings

Web browsers offer tools to reduce tracking.

• Clear cookies and browsing data regularly.
• Enable built-in tracking protection or privacy modes.
• Review saved passwords and autofill information.
• Install updates and remove unnecessary browser extensions.

Additional Privacy Best Practices

• Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever available.
• Be cautious of phishing emails, texts, and phone calls.
• Lock devices when not in use and keep software updated.
• Shred documents containing personal information before disposal.

Disclaimer

The information provided in Marin CyberSafe News is intended to increase people’s awareness of cybersecurity and to help them behave in a more secure manner. Links in this newsletter are provided because they have information that may be useful. The County of Marin does not warrant the accuracy of any information contained in the links and neither endorses nor intends to promote the advertising of the resources listed herein. The opinions and statements contained in such resources are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the opinions of County of Marin.

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