We use the internet daily for financial transactions, shopping, and staying current with friends and family. There are many things that we do to keep ourselves safe since we know that computer hacking does happen. As much as we know about safety online, there is more to consider as suggested by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia.

One of the precautions that is most often overlooked is posting personal information. This can be problematic since it can be seen by everyone. Sharing information like a birthdate, middle name, phone number or family address could give someone enough information to steal your identity. It is suggested that you consider removing your name from websites that share your personal information that is obtained from public records - this includes your phone number, address, avatar, pictures, etc.

Photos are often shared with family to highlight our fun, family outings, birthdays, and special occasions. However, photos taken with smartphones are embedded with GPS coordinates in the photo which will let others know where the picture was taken and may enable someone to find you. In addition, pictures posted online can be downloaded, copied, altered, and shared with people without your knowledge. It is important to make sure that you use the strongest privacy settings.

When it comes to passwords, we generally adhere to the principle that stronger is the best. However, it is recommended that you change passwords every 90 days when information is sensitive. Some other recommendations are that you never leave passwords near your computer or in plain sight, as well as avoid sharing your password with anyone. If you are given the option to provide a password “hint”, make sure it is not something others can guess.

Although we ensure that parental controls are active on the remote, we also need to ensure that our children are safe online as well. We need to explain to our children that there are risks and dangers from internet predators. It is important to take the time to surf the net with your children, find their favorite destinations, know their passwords, limit the time they spend online, and periodically review their emails and computer sites.

Many people have installed webcams as an added safety measure. All webcams can be high-jacked and turned on remotely. Although they can provide peace of mind while the family is away, it might be a good idea to disconnect them when they are not needed. By merely unplugging a webcam, you can provide greater safety for your family.

If you enjoy visiting your local barista and using your computer on the java cafe’s Wi-Fi, you may find that you can be hacked. The public library and Internet cafes are also hotspots for thieves. Be careful about this any time you click “Remember My Password”. Staying safe is the ultimate goal. Although it does take special attention to stay safe, it will be worth it in the long run.

Mary Fox Luquette, MBA, CLU, ChFC is a Finance Instructor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Stay safe when using online resources