Discussion Post

What Do Companies Know About You?

Postcards to Germany

Skills Learned

• use of two-factor authentication

• understanding of what information I give online

• visualize my personal information that the internet has of me

• learned to read terms and conditions of apps/websites

• researching IT in another country (Germany)

Reflection

This week's major assignment was something that has never been brought to my attention. I was asked to respond to questions regarding information that I share with certain companies, more geared towards social media. I am fully aware that I have shared things like my name, email, phone number, birthday, age, etc., but that data is something that I gave my permission to store and use for that platform. On the other hand, the last section of the assignment required me to use ZabaSearch to look up my name. I found my personal information, as well as my family members, and where I live. This was so scary for me considering someone else could look up my name and have access to all of that personal information. Who knows where else all of my information might be on thousands of other websites like that one. I also have been documenting my experience with learning about IT in Germany. This week we sent our postcards and got to be in touch with a speaker from Germany who excels in this field. It was interesting to explore the role that Germany plays in today's world of technology, and the influence it has on our country as well.