No matter how many social networks you belong to or how many blogs you keep, it’s important that you protect your private data from falling into the wrong hands.  I’m always amazed at the personal information that some people will put online.  From birthdates, to cell phone numbers, to your children’s names, you need to be aware of what information makes it on the web.

No matter how secure you think a website is, there is always someone looking for ways to exploit you and steal your identity.  Here are five ways that you can protect yourself online:

1. Have a back-up email or “side” email

Many times you may need to provide an email address to sign up for a service.  It’s probably a good idea to keep an extra email address on the side for this very occasion.  Don’t provide your primary email address for something especially if you don’t know a lot about the service that you’re signing up for.  You never know if your address will be posted or sold to other organizations, which in turn can generate a sudden influx of unwanted SPAM to your inbox.

2. Don’t give your personal information away

There’s really no need to add your phone number, birthday, and home address to your Facebook page.  Keep your personal information private.  This includes pictures and names of your children.  Never post pictures of your children online and never give out their names.  If one of your friends posts or tags a picture of your kids on their Facebook profile, politely ask them to remove the picture.  And be cautious; just because you’re friends with someone on Facebook or Twitter, you still might be strangers in real life.  Be careful about the information you divulge to others online.

3. Stay away from online giveaways and contests

I’m sorry but you’re NOT going to win a free iPad.  No matter how promising it looks.  If it seems too good to be true, then it probably it is.  I’m sure you’ve gotten an email from a third party that makes it seem like a cinch to get your hands on a coveted iPad for free; just fill out three promotions with your name, email address, and phone number.  The only thing you end up winning is an inbox full of SPAM.  Refrain from providing your email address or any personal information to online contests that you aren’t 100% familiar with.  Your name and address could be sold to other marketers.

4. Mind your numbers!

Never put your credit card number online unless it is through a trusted site.  Check for secure URL tags or HTTPS in the address bar.  Is your browser displaying the safe lock icon?  Only provide credit card information to trusted, secure websites.  And NEVER put your social security number online.

5. Pass on these Words:

Have you seen that list of the worst passwords to use online and laughed?  Did you shake your head in amazement that someone would actually use “123456” as their banking password?  Or did your eyes swirl with wonder when you saw one of your passwords on the list?  Whatever the case, it’s a good idea to use a different password for everything.  And never use your online banking password for anything else, ever.

According to a recent article in the Huffington Post, “The recent hack of the website RockYou exposed around 32 million user passwords, which data security firm Imperva has analyzed to create a list of the worst passwords.”

Here are the 10 Worst Passwords:

1. 123456

2. 12345

3. 123456789

4. Password

5. iloveyou

6. princess

7. rockyou

8. 1234567

9. 12345678

10. abc123

Of course these are just five tips to help you protect yourself online.  Remember, if you join a new network or sign up for a new service, check the site’s privacy policies and settings before sending your sensitive data soaring into cyberspace.

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