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Christine Aykac and Amalia Barthel

The internet is a dangerous place. With the rise of social media, it's easier than ever to share your personal information online and put yourself at risk for identity theft or other cybercrimes.

Did you know that Facebook Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, or other applications you use to connect with your family, friends, and colleagues record what you are chatting talking and capture the data you present? They don’t share your private data; they try to protect your data from hackers. However, these organizations use your data for analytics, which age group uses applications, topics in your conversations, etc.

Read more

The internet is a dangerous place. With the rise of social media, it's easier than ever to share your personal information online and put yourself at risk for identity theft or other cybercrimes.

Did you know that Facebook Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, or other applications you use to connect with your family, friends, and colleagues record what you are chatting talking and capture the data you present? They don’t share your private data; they try to protect your data from hackers. However, these organizations use your data for analytics, which age group uses applications, topics in your conversations, etc.

We're here to help you stay safe online with our blog posts on how to protect yourself from privacy risks. Learn about the different ways you can stay private and keep your information safe while using the internet.

If you wonder why you should take this course, let us help you. If you answer “No” to two or more of the following, this course is for you. Do you know:

· What is considered personal information under the privacy act?

· Privacy basics: what to collect and what to use?

· How to be sure you are handling personal information in accordance with the applicable law(s)

· How can you protect personal information entrusted to you

· How you can work at home and not introduce risk to your personal and business life

So, Are you Privacy Savy?

Are you aware of the risks of sharing your personal information online and taking steps to protect yourself? Like, you should use strong passwords, be cautious about the websites you visit, and avoid giving away too much information. Remember, when it comes to staying safe online, one of the most important things you can do is be privacy savvy.

In this course, we provide helpful tips and warnings on how you can stay safe online, such as:

1. Learn How to be Privacy Savvy and Keep Your Information Safe.

2. Don't Fall Victim to Privacy Risks - Be Savvy.

3. Tips for Staying Safe and Private Online

4. Stay Protected with These Privacy Tips

5. Become a Privacy Pro and Keep Your Information Safe

As you can see, the course is designed to be an introductory course, and intentionally we made it very practical. We will show you how to discover personal information in your online and business activities. You will learn what you need to protect and why, and what you need to do to comply with the applicable law(s) and not even think about it.

If you are still not clear or have questions, please feel free to reach us. You can use any medium to reach us; through Udemy, Linkedin, or email us.

We can’t wait to see you in our class.

Amalia & Christine

Disclaimer: No AI was used in content creation, slide creation, or voice recording. The concepts and information shared in this course are derived from our personal ideas and experiences. AI was only used for content editing to improve grammar and readability.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand what personal information is in the context of your business operations or your personal use
  • Understand privacy basics: what to collect, what to use, how to be sure you are handling personal information in accordance with the applicable law(s)
  • Understand what is considered personal information under the applicable privacy legislation
  • How can you protect personal information entrusted to you
  • How you can work at home and not introduce risk to your personal and business life

Syllabus

The course is designed to be a practical; show you how to discover personal information in your business process and activities, and we will explain what you need to protect and why.
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This is a very practical course. Our goal is to help you to:

  • Understand what personal information is in the context of your business operations

  • Understand what is considered personal information under the privacy act

  • Understand privacy basics: what to collect, what to use, how to be sure you are handling personal information in accordance with the applicable law(s)

  • How can you protect personal information entrusted to you?

  • How you can work at home and not introduce risk to your personal and business life?

In this module, we are going to clarify what is privacy and explain that privacy has a wider set of obligations and responsibilities than information security does, such as:

●Understand privacy basics

●Identify and distinguish privacy and information security

●Learn what it means Privacy

  • You will be able to identify and distinguish between privacy and information security

  • Learn the meaning of “Privacy” as a concept

At the end of this module, you will know:

●Privacy legislation

●Privacy rights

In this module, we will talk about:

●What privacy is and is not

●Who impacts your privacy in the day-to-day life

●What do organizations need to do to protect your personal information

●What else can you do to protect your personal information (privacy)

This module re-states the importance of privacy and what can you do to protect your privacy.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides practical guidance on identifying and safeguarding personal information in both online activities and business processes, which is essential for beginners
Explores the distinction between privacy and information security, which is a foundational concept for understanding data protection
Covers privacy legislation and individual privacy rights, which empowers learners to understand their entitlements and expectations from service providers
Focuses on practical steps to protect personal information, which is immediately applicable to daily life and work-from-home scenarios
Examines the impact of various entities on personal privacy, which helps learners become more aware of potential risks in their daily interactions
Requires learners to understand applicable laws, which may necessitate additional research depending on their jurisdiction

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Reviews summary

Practical privacy basics overview

According to learners, "Are you privacy savvy? A Beginner's Guide to Privacy Basics" is a clear and accessible introduction well-suited for complete beginners. Students highlight the practical tips and actionable advice provided, finding the course relevant to both personal online safety and protecting information in a work-from-home context. Many found it easy to understand and appreciated the basic overview, though some noted that the course offers limited depth on specific regulations or advanced topics. Overall, the course is largely well-received as a solid starting point for anyone looking to become more privacy-aware.
Useful for both personal and professional life.
"The tips apply equally to my personal online habits and my work-from-home setup."
"It covered privacy risks relevant to both daily life and business activities."
"I found the sections on protecting information when working remotely particularly helpful."
Easy-to-understand introduction to privacy concepts.
"This course is a great place to start if you know nothing about online privacy. The explanations were very clear..."
"As a complete beginner, I found the concepts easy to grasp. It doesn't assume prior knowledge."
"I appreciate how the course breaks down complex ideas into simple terms, making it perfect for someone new to privacy issues."
Provides actionable advice for daily online use.
"I learned practical tips I can use immediately to protect my personal information online."
"The course provides really useful strategies for staying safe, especially while working from home."
"It gave me concrete steps I can take right now to improve my privacy practices."
A good introduction, but lacks deeper detail.
"While good for basics, I was hoping for more detail on specific regulations or technical protections."
"It's definitely a beginner's guide. If you already know a bit about privacy, it might feel too basic."
"The course gives a broad overview but doesn't dive deep into any single topic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Are you privacy savvy? A Beginner's Guide to Privacy Basics with these activities:
Review Key Privacy Terminology
Reinforce your understanding of essential privacy terms before starting the course to build a solid foundation.
Browse courses on PII
Show steps
  • Identify key privacy terms and definitions.
  • Create flashcards or a glossary of terms.
  • Test your knowledge with online quizzes.
Review 'Privacy is Power: Why and How You Should Take Back Control of Your Data'
Gain a deeper understanding of the power dynamics surrounding personal data and how to protect your own information.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
  • Reflect on how the book's insights relate to your own online behavior.
  • Identify actionable steps you can take to improve your privacy.
Create a Personal Privacy Checklist
Solidify your understanding of privacy best practices by creating a personalized checklist for protecting your own data.
Show steps
  • Identify your most sensitive personal information.
  • Research privacy settings on your frequently used apps and websites.
  • Create a checklist of actions to take to improve your privacy.
  • Implement the steps on your checklist.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Review 'Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World'
Understand the broader context of data collection and surveillance and its impact on privacy.
Show steps
  • Read the book and highlight key arguments.
  • Discuss the book's themes with classmates or colleagues.
  • Write a short essay summarizing the book's main points.
Audit Your Home Network Security
Apply your knowledge of privacy and security to assess and improve the security of your home network.
Show steps
  • Map all devices connected to your home network.
  • Assess the security settings of your router and connected devices.
  • Implement security improvements, such as strong passwords and encryption.
  • Document your findings and recommendations.
Develop a Privacy-Aware Home Office Guide
Synthesize your learning by creating a guide for establishing a privacy-conscious home office environment.
Show steps
  • Research best practices for privacy in a home office setting.
  • Outline the key elements of a privacy-aware home office.
  • Develop a guide with actionable tips and recommendations.
  • Share your guide with others and solicit feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Are you privacy savvy? A Beginner's Guide to Privacy Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Privacy Analyst
A Privacy Analyst helps organizations understand and adhere to privacy laws and regulations, and this course, 'Are you privacy savvy? A Beginner's Guide to Privacy Basics', helps build a foundation by showing how to identify personal information and handle it responsibly. Privacy analysts evaluate the handling of data, and this course is designed to teach learners what constitutes personal information and how to protect it. The course's focus on practical application and compliance with laws is directly relevant to the work of a privacy analyst, who must be able to implement privacy policies. Further, the course teaches how to avoid risk when handling personal information online, a vital skill for someone in this career role.
Data Protection Officer
The role of a Data Protection Officer involves ensuring an organization's compliance with data protection laws, and this course helps build a foundation by familiarizing learners with privacy basics. Data Protection Officers create and implement data protection policies, and this course teaches how to discover personal information in business processes and activities. This course also covers what to protect, why, and how to handle personal information legally, which aligns with the responsibilities of a Data Protection Officer. The practical approach of the course, which focuses on how to work from home without introducing risks, is highly relevant to data protection in modern work environments.
Compliance Officer
A Compliance Officer ensures that an organization adheres to laws and regulations, and this course provides a good foundation by educating learners on privacy laws and regulations. Compliance officers need to understand how to handle sensitive information, and this course explores what constitutes personal data and how to protect it. The course highlights the importance of compliance and provides guidance on what organizations need to do to protect personal information, which makes it a valuable asset for an aspiring compliance officer. The course's emphasis on practical application and understanding the distinction between privacy and information security is instrumental for those in compliance roles.
Privacy Consultant
A Privacy Consultant advises organizations on how to comply with privacy laws, and this course is a good starting point by introducing key privacy concepts. Privacy consultants must be knowledgeable about privacy regulations, and this course helps someone understand what personal information is and the basics of how to handle it compliantly. This course also highlights the importance of privacy, which is core to this consultancy role. Because this course provides an overview of practical steps one may take, it is a good beginning for someone looking to pivot into privacy consulting.
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst protects an organization's sensitive information from cyber threats, and this course may help build a foundation for this role by covering how to protect personal information online. Information security analysts work to prevent data breaches, and this course teaches about handling personal information in accordance with applicable laws and how to work remotely without introducing risk. While information security is distinct from privacy, they do overlap, so this course's focus on privacy helps provide a wider understanding of the landscape. Those looking to begin in information security should consider how the course's privacy training can further their knowledge.
Cybersecurity Analyst
A Cybersecurity Analyst works to protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, and this course may be useful by showing how to protect personal data online. Cybersecurity analysts address online risks, and this course provides an understanding of personal information and how to handle it safely, as well as the distinction between information security and privacy. While cybersecurity is focused directly on network security, an understanding of personal information and how it's handled helps give a wider picture. This course may be a useful starting point for those looking to begin a career in cybersecurity, by teaching the basics of online safety regarding personal information.
Risk Manager
Risk Managers identify and mitigate potential risks to an organization, and this course may be useful by addressing specific privacy risks. Risk managers work to discover vulnerabilities and this course provides insight into identifying personal information and how to protect it in accordance with laws. This course discusses staying safe online, and this is directly applicable to mitigating risk in cyberspace. Risk managers benefit from this type of training as it equips them to better assess privacy risks.
Human Resources Specialist
A Human Resources Specialist manages employee-related matters, including personal information, and this course may be useful by introducing the issues involved with handling personal data. Human resources personnel must collect employee information, and this course offers a foundation for understanding what constitutes personal information and how to protect it under the law. The course emphasizes the importance of privacy, which is important for those in human resources. While this course does not directly impact human resources work, it may be a useful tool in understanding the implications of handling employee data.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst works to improve business processes and systems, and this course may help those who wish to make sure these processes respect privacy concerns. Business analysts investigate and implement more efficient processes, and this course provides an introduction to understanding what comprises personal information and how to handle it safely. Because business processes increasingly handle personal data, the course's training about compliance with privacy law should be valuable. This course may be helpful to a business analyst who is interested in the privacy impact of their work.
Research Analyst
A Research Analyst gathers and analyzes data for research purposes, and this course may be useful for those who wish to work with personal data safely and ethically. Research analysts must understand how to work with data, and this course provides some background on what constitutes personal information, and how to work with it according to privacy law. The course also emphasizes the importance of privacy, which those in research roles should certainly consider. As many research roles require handling personal data, this course may be useful for those entering this field.
Project Manager
A Project Manager oversees the planning and execution of projects, and this course may be useful by providing information about privacy risks. Project managers handle various responsibilities, and this course helps learners understand how to handle personal information according to privacy law. If a project involves handling personal data, the course's practical advice can help a project manager understand how to keep information safe. Because project managers must oversee a wide variety of tasks, they should consider this course as it introduces the basics of privacy and safety.
Legal Assistant
A Legal Assistant supports lawyers by preparing legal documents and research, and this course may be useful for those who wish to work in a field of law that handles personal information. Legal assistants work with sensitive documents, and this course offers a foundation for understanding personal information, and how to protect it according to applicable laws. This course introduces the importance of privacy, and privacy rights, which should be helpful for those in this career role. While the work of legal assistants does not directly involve privacy, an understanding of privacy is helpful.
Public Relations Specialist
A Public Relations Specialist works to manage an organization's public image, and this course may be useful by providing awareness of privacy risks to those working in such a public-facing role. Public relations professionals must be aware of the public's concerns, and this course helps introduce them to the importance of privacy and how to protect personal data. This course emphasizes the importance of privacy, and it may be useful to a public relations specialist who must communicate about privacy policies. While the field of public relations does not directly involve privacy, an understanding of these issues is becoming increasingly important.
Customer Service Representative
A Customer Service Representative assists customers with inquiries, and this course may be useful for those who wish to understand the importance of protecting customers' private information. Customer service representatives may handle customer data, and this course offers a foundation for understanding what constitutes personal information, and how to protect it. The course emphasizes the importance of privacy, and those in a customer role may benefit from understanding privacy principles. While not directly applicable, those in customer service can use this course to better protect their customers' sensitive information.
Teacher
A Teacher educates students, and this course may be helpful for those who wish to understand how to protect personal information online, and how to teach others. Teachers must be well-informed, and this course shows learners about privacy basics, and what constitutes personal information and how to protect it. The course emphasizes the importance of privacy and provides practical tips for staying safe online which may be useful for educating their students. Though teachers may not work with sensitive data, an awareness of privacy issues is important in modern life. This course may be useful to teachers.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Are you privacy savvy? A Beginner's Guide to Privacy Basics.
Explores the pervasive surveillance practices of governments and corporations in the digital age. It examines the implications of mass data collection on individual privacy and civil liberties. This book is valuable as additional reading to provide a broader context for the course material. It is commonly used as a reference by industry professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the importance of privacy in the digital age. It explores the various ways personal data is collected and used, and offers practical advice on how individuals can protect their privacy. This book is valuable as additional reading to expand on the concepts introduced in the course. It provides a broader perspective on the societal implications of data privacy.

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