Lesson 24: Protecting Your Personal Information

Throughout this lesson, we will follow a student named Jordan. Jordan is in Grade 10 and uses a phone, social media, online banking, and email like most students. As you read each section, think about what Jordan does right and what Jordan does wrong.

Why This Matters

Your personal information is more valuable than you might think. It is not just about privacy. It is about control. If someone gets access to your personal information, they can pretend to be you. This is called identity theft.

For example, if someone gets your banking information, they can transfer money out of your account. If they get enough personal details, they can even open accounts or take out loans in your name.

Jordan does not think much about this at first. Jordan uses the same password for everything and shares small bits of information online without thinking. At this point, nothing bad has happened yet, but the risk is building.

What Is Personal Information?

Personal information is anything that can identify you or give someone access to your accounts. Some information is more sensitive than others.

Highly sensitive information includes things like your Social Insurance Number (SIN), bank account numbers, passwords, and PINs. If someone gets this information, they can act as you.

Moderately sensitive information includes your address, phone number, or date of birth. On their own, these may seem harmless, but when combined with other details, they can be used to build a full picture of your identity.

Jordan posts a photo online that includes their school name and location. Later, Jordan fills out a random online quiz that asks for their birthday. Individually, these seem small, but together they start to form a profile.

How Information Gets Stolen

Most people imagine hacking as something very technical. In reality, most scams rely on tricking people. This is often easier than breaking into secure systems.

One common method is phishing. This is when someone sends a fake email or text that looks real. The message may say your account is locked or that you need to act quickly.

Jordan receives a message that looks like it is from a bank. It says there is a problem with the account and includes a link. Jordan clicks the link without checking carefully.

The website looks real, so Jordan enters their username and password. The page reloads, but nothing seems to happen. In reality, Jordan has just given their login information to a scammer.

How to Protect Yourself Online

Protecting yourself online is about building good habits. These habits make it much harder for someone to access your information.

First, use strong passwords. A strong password should be long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using names, birthdays, or simple patterns.

Second, use two-factor authentication. This adds an extra step when logging in, such as entering a code sent to your phone. Even if someone has your password, they cannot access your account without this second step.

Jordan used the same simple password for multiple accounts. Once the scammer gets it, they try it on other accounts like email and social media. This is why using different passwords is important.

Also, be careful with links. Do not click on links in emails or messages unless you are sure they are real. Instead, go directly to the official website.

How to Protect Yourself Offline

Not all risks are online. Physical documents can also expose your personal information.

You should keep important documents in a safe place. This includes items like your SIN, bank papers, and identification.

You should also shred documents before throwing them away. Even something like a bill or receipt can contain useful information for someone trying to steal your identity.

Jordan throws away old mail without thinking. If someone were to go through that garbage, they could find useful details.

When Is It Safe to Share Information?

There are times when you need to share personal information, such as when applying for a job or opening a bank account. However, you should always think before sharing.

Ask yourself three questions: Do I trust this person or organization? Why do they need this information? Is this a secure way to share it?

Jordan starts to realize that not every request for information is legitimate. Taking a moment to think can prevent mistakes.

What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?

If your information is stolen, it is important to act quickly. Contact your bank, change your passwords, and report the issue.

In Jordan’s case, suspicious activity appears in the bank account a few days later. Because Jordan acts quickly and contacts the bank, the damage is limited.

Key Takeaways

Your personal information is valuable. Most scams rely on tricking people rather than hacking systems. By building strong habits and thinking carefully, you can protect yourself.

Jordan’s experience shows that small decisions matter. One click or one shared detail can create risk, but one careful decision can prevent a problem.

Final Thought

Protecting your personal information is not about fear. It is about awareness and good decision-making. Take your time, ask questions, and make smart choices.