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It's Data Privacy Day--do you know where your info is?

Elizabeth Weise
USA TODAY
A poster for Data Privacy Day created by the National Cyber Security Alliance.

SAN FRANCISCO - It's Data Privacy Day. Do you know where your information is?

Probably not. After the Sony hack, the Target breach, the JPMorgan mess and a host of other events over the past year, data privacy seems like an oxymoron.

But on Jan. 28 you can expect lots of announcements about new privacy enhancements to popular programs, sites and apps, as well as companies falling all over themselves to tell you how safe your information is with them.

While some of these announcements are just window dressing, some will, in fact, help.

But the best place to look for better privacy is the future, says Michael Kaiser, director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, a sponsor of National Privacy Day.

The near future, he's guessing.

"There's a ton of stuff coming, it will address fundamental, ecosystem-wide flaws in the system," said Kaiser.

Keep an eye especially on the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance for some real changes, coming "soonish," Kaiser said.

FIDO has been working since 2012 to create simple, easy-to-use systems to make how we connect online safer and more secure.

These could take the form of a program that knows when you're logging in from tablet at home in Philadelphia (safe) or an unknown computer in an Internet cafe in Manila (not so safe).

Or a key that hangs on your keychain right next to your car key which holds an encrypted file that tells sites, "Yes, it's really her, I'm encrypted up to my eyeballs and I'll vouch for her. You can trust me!"

Still, there's no magic bullet for privacy, making constant wariness and a tinge of paranoia an appropriate attitude when venturing out online.

Which is why one of the slogans for National Privacy Day is, "Stop. Think. Connect."

It's not bad advice. If some of the folks at Sony has stopped and thought for a second before putting their more incendiary thoughts into email, much pain could have been averted.

So stop and think before you connect. What are you about to agree to, or write, or post? What could someone do with that information? And do you want to give them the chance?

Another simple rule is to look at every email that comes your way with a major grain of salt, especially ones that include attachments or links.

Phishing emails are getting more and more sophisticated. It never hurts to imagine an email as a stranger who comes up to you on the street. Would you give them all your bank account information just because they told you they worked there?

Next, turn on two-factor verification for every account that offers it. It's easy and will save you from getting hacked.

Finally, don't use same same password for every site. Really. Just don't. It's like changing every lock you've ever used so they all open with the same key, and then making lots and lots of copies of that key.

Be vigilant. It's a jungle out there.

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