Ohio A-G offers tips to protect info online

Ohio Attorney General’s information

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine encourages Ohioans to protect their personal information and take steps to avoid identity theft. The warning coincides with Data Privacy Day (January 28), when organizations around the world promote data protection and cybersecurity.

“Everyone plays a role in protecting personal and private information,” Attorney General DeWine said. “At home and at work, many Ohioans are constantly connected, and as we use more methods to share information, we encourage Ohioans to take steps to help keep their data secure.”

In 2014, for the first time, identity theft was one of the top 10 consumer complaints reported to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Attorney General DeWine created a consumer Identity Theft Unit in 2012 to help victims rectify the effects of identity theft, and from 2013 to 2014, complaints to the unit doubled. Specialists helped to clear hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges.

To help Ohioans protect their personal information, Attorney General DeWine encourages individuals to take the following steps:

• Check Internet and social media privacy and security settings, as well as those of children living in a household.
• Understand how online behaviors can be tracked on computers and mobile devices.
• Don’t “overshare” personal information online, including through social media.

Attorney General DeWine also offers the following tips for businesses:

• Take steps to keep computers and mobile devices free of viruses and other malware.
• Back up data on a regular basis.
• Use a firewall to help secure Internet/data connections.
• Limit system access to only necessary employees.
• Keep payment systems separate from company email and other functions.

To help Ohioans better understand cybersecurity and data privacy issues, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office offers an eight-page cybersecurity brochure and conducts presentations to interested organizations as part of its CHIPP (Cybersecurity Help, Information, and Protection Program) initiative.

To receive a copy of the CHIPP booklet, to schedule a cybersecurity presentation, or to get help with identity theft, consumers should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800.282.0515.