In the digital age, personal data such as names, addresses, internet browsing habits, and financial information have become valuable assets for both businesses and cybercriminals. Every online action—whether clicking, registering, or downloading—involves a decision about sharing aspects of one's digital life.
There are distinctions between types of data. Non-sensitive data includes basic information like name and email address, which are often required for simple registrations. Sensitive or confidential data covers identification numbers (such as CUI or passport), financial details (like bank accounts and verification tokens), health records, ethnic origin, location information, and biometric data.
Sharing sensitive information should be limited to situations where it is legally or contractually necessary—such as opening a bank account, signing an employment contract, or paying taxes. It is also appropriate during secure transactions like online purchases when the website uses HTTPS protocol and displays a padlock icon. Account recovery processes may require providing a secondary phone number or email dedicated to security.
Failing to protect personal data can lead to identity theft and impersonation. Criminals may open accounts, request credit lines, or commit fraud in someone else's name, affecting their credit history and reputation. Social engineering attacks can use collected information to deceive individuals into revealing passwords or financial details. Compromising images or information may be used for extortion or online harassment. Sharing banking details on insecure sites increases exposure to fraud and unauthorized charges.
To share information securely, experts recommend regularly reviewing privacy settings on social networks and avoiding banking transactions over public Wi-Fi networks. Strong passwords—at least 10 characters with uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols—should be used without repetition across services. Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible adds another layer of protection.
Banco Industrial advises customers: "Never click on links nor provide personal information through unexpected emails, text messages or calls. Always contact us through our official channels."
"The security of information is everyone's responsibility!"
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