December 2019 Vol 1 Issue 4

Most of us spend at least part of the day away from home. Not just going to work but also on errands or just enjoying the great outdoors.

But how much thought do we give to personal safety before we head out alone on non-routine trips? Probably not a lot. Yet, we hear every day about people who inexplicably disappear or were attacked, robbed or injured while on what should have been a normal outing.

Don't let that happen to you. Here are some fairly simple things you can do to secure your personal safety while out and about.

Always dress for the weather. You never know if you're going to be delayed. If it's going to be hot, take bottled water. Don’t dress too smartly if you're heading to an unfamiliar place. You want to look inconspicuous.

Tell people where you're going and when you expect to return. Or, if you live alone, just leave a scribbled note. But don’t announce where you're headed on social media!

Take a fully charged cell phone but keep it concealed. Don't ever walk while viewing your phone. It could be stolen or your lack of attention could cause an accident. And don’t put your phone or other stuff in your back pocket; it's too accessible. Use a secure backpack.

Protect your personal security on your phone by setting up remote wipe and by entering an address that's near your home but not actually yours,

If you're walking alone to your parked car, have your key readily in-hand. It ensures you get into the security of your car as quickly as possible -- and it's a potential weapon.

• Don't carry cash or credit cards beyond those you need for your outing.
• Always be aware of your surroundings. If you're visiting somewhere unfamiliar, do a bit of research on your destination, to know your location and what else is nearby.
• Don’t share information about yourself with people you happen to meet but don’t know.
• If you're using an ATM or a store credit card scanner, check for signs of tampering -- skimming, as it's called. Don't use machines which have jutting-out slots.

Finally, of course, if you feel you're in danger, call 911!

As computers and other digital devices become ever more important in our lives, protecting Internet privacy has become more critical than ever. And with Data Privacy Day falling on January 28 across North America, India and Europe this year, now seems a good time to review ways of protecting your personal information online.

The aim of Data Privacy Day, now in its 11th year, is to encourage people to learn the importance of safeguarding their personal data -- and practice it.

The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), which oversees the campaign, works year-round to educate consumers on how they can own their online presence. One of its major concerns is data protection on public computers and wireless networks.

Personal information is like money, the Alliance says, and we should all try to safeguard our data with that in mind.

"Public computers in libraries and other locations are convenient and can be great resources for many Internet users," it notes, "however, it’s important to remember good online safety habits when using these devices.

"The first step is to STOP. THINK. CONNECT.: take security precautions, think about the consequences of your online actions and enjoy the conveniences of technology with more peace of mind."

When you use public computers, there are three key steps you should take to protect your privacy:

1. Ensure that when you enter information about yourself, especially usernames and passwords, the "remember me" function is disabled.
2. Delete your browsing history when you're done. Use the settings in the browser to delete your history and "cookies" (small bits of data about you that are stored on a computer). If you don’t know how to do this, make finding out the first thing you search for on the computer.
3. Always log out after you finish using the computer. Otherwise, the next person who comes along to use it may have access to web pages you've visited.

If you're using WiFi in a public place, remember that it's not secure. Anyone on the same network could potentially view what you're doing.

Whether you are in the mood for a snack or a shopping expedition, our retail and wholesale partners have you covered!