Cintas Document Management Issues Top Five Tips for Online Data Protection

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In honor of Data Privacy Day on Jan. 28, Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS), a leader in secure document management services, today issued five tips for protecting personal information online.

“By following proper protocol and protecting personal information, consumers can ensure a safe and secure 2012.”

According to a survey conducted in May 2011 by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 78 percent of U.S. adults use the Internet. With the increased use of social networking websites, e-mail and online shopping, consumers need to be increasingly vigilant to guard against cyber-thieves when transmitting credit card numbers, home addresses and other confidential information online.

“In today’s digital age, we disclose a high amount of personal information on the Internet,” said Karen Carnahan, President and COO, Cintas Document Management. “It’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family from identity theft.”

Cintas’ best practices for protecting electronic data include:

1. Limit the amount of information shared online. Do not share more information than necessary when revealing personal data. On social networking sites, avoid revealing addresses or other compromising information and share personal information only with people you can trust. Make sure all family members are aware of what’s considered appropriate information to share online.
2. Strengthen passwords. Strong passwords are composed of a combination of numbers, upper- and lower-case letters and symbols. Avoid passwords that can be easily guessed, such as birthdays or maiden names. In addition, avoid using the same password across online accounts. With unique passwords, if one account is compromised, other accounts are still protected. To ensure security, passwords should be changed periodically.
3. Review website security settings. Make sure websites are secure before providing personal information. Secure website URL addresses start with “https://” and can be recognized by a lock located on the page. When making online purchases, use reputable and recognized websites.
4. Regularly update antivirus software. To protect your computer from malware, viruses and spyware, ensure antivirus software is up to date. With updated antivirus software, your computer is protected from online threats before they can infiltrate and expose personal information.
5. Practice safe online behavior. Access personal information, such as bank accounts, personal documents and email, from private computers. If accessing private information through a public computer, make sure you properly log off of personal accounts before ending the session by closing each window.

“With the majority of U.S. adults using the Internet for both business and leisure, data protection is more important than ever,” Carnahan added. “By following proper protocol and protecting personal information, consumers can ensure a safe and secure 2012.”

For information about Cintas’ document management programs, visit www.cintas.com/documentmanagement.

About Cintas Corporation

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid and safety products, fire protection services and document management services to approximately 900,000 businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.