Information Security

from Clayton's Personal Security Handbook

• Keep a wireless phone at hand when you are home.  Take it into the bedroom when you retire for the night. Remember, an intruder can disconnect simple wiring and render a landline phone inoperable.
• Instruct children and domestic help never to identify the family in phone conversations until the person they are speaking with identifies him or herself.
• The recorded message on the phone should not identify the family but should simply ask the caller to leave a message.
• Never give your phone number to unknown persons and use an unlisted number if appropriate.
• Never provide personal information over the phone or internet if solicited.  Only do so if you initiate contact and you know the recipient person or organization.
• Confidential information includes social security numbers, birth dates or credit card, banking, mortgage or healthcare information.
• Lock your personal information in a secure place and shred all personal information that is to be recycled.
• Use a locking mailbox to avoid identity theft.
• Maintain your computer in a safe location and change passwords regularly.
• Avoid unknown e-mails, chat rooms and potentially damaging web sites.
• Be as anonymous as possible and maintain a low public profile.  Do not appear in the social pages or allow your name to be listed in the directories of business associations, chambers of commerce, etc. Do not make statements to the press.