Maintaining your privacy online can be a mountain to climb, with the world being a global village today. Several online activities demand that we give up our details at every chance they get. Unfortunately, we often don’t have a choice, and other times we don’t know how to keep our privacy safe. Well, this is what this article is about.
Protecting your online privacy and security can feel like the same term. Although they are closely related, there are subtle differences between them. For example, the breach of your security is related to illegal activities most times, while issues of privacy are related to data collected legally. However, this legal collection of data could be handled carelessly. And that is where online privacy comes in. That said, there are steps you can take to protect your privacy, and below are a few points to note.
Understand How Cookies Work
You emit a digital footprint whenever you browse online or perform an activity. This creates a visible online trail as you surf the Internet. In addition, each website tags you with cookies.
A cookie is a term used to describe how a website knows you visited. It records everything you do from your name, location, how long you were there, and every detail you inputted.
People are becoming increasingly aware of the consequences of their internet actions. The notification appears infrequently, but when it does, most of us click “Accept” without understanding what it means. You are under no need to comply; most internet users can conduct productive searches by turning off cookies or switching to a private browsing mode.
Today, internet browsers offer different types of digital protection. In Chrome, it’s called Incognito Mode. This is an excellent tool to use when visiting entertainment sites like movie and music streaming platforms and online gaming sites. But before visiting, it’s recommended to check comparison platforms like https://www.tightpoker.com/best-online-poker-sites/.
There you will find all the details you need about the security and license that every casino they list have. Moreover, they advise you on how to steer clear of blacklisted sites and to protect your privacy.
Modify Your Privacy Preferences
Most online platforms have one sort of privacy setting or the other and you can control who can view your profile by adjusting it. The default privacy in your browser is set up to collect as much data as possible, but you may easily change this.
There are privacy controls available in many of your accounts. You should go to each one individually to ensure your privacy.
Limiting the number of people you share information with reduces the risk of exposure. The information you and your friends share on social media platforms adds to the mountain of data that constitutes your digital footprint. This indicates that identity theft is a genuine concern.
Reduce Social Media Sharing
Although social media platforms encourage open communication, users should exercise caution when disclosing personal information. Platforms like this keep track of you in three ways: through your profile, the content you upload, and the actions you take in response to the content presented to you.
It’s not unheard of for search results to include private messages and content. However, you can protect your privacy by turning off location tracking and staying safe from spyware by avoiding collaborative playlists and shared folders.
Develop Secure One-of-a-Kind Passwords
Passwords have become more insecure over time. The newest security is two-factor authentication, which uses a code sent to your phone. Unfortunately, many people don’t know about 2FA or how it works, so it is not widely implemented. If you are one of such persons, you can visit this link for more information.
But in the interim, you can routinely update your passwords, even for infrequently used sites. In addition, using a password manager is a great way to stay organized.
You can also use a combination of at least eight characters, including digits and both lowercase and uppercase letters. If possible, avoid using an accurate word. Also, remember never to share your Wi-Fi password or use the same password twice that is continually being used to transmit your info.
Keep Tabs on your Inbox and Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links
Most of the email we get is spam or phishing attempts. Therefore, an email address dedicated just to online registration is a handy practice that many individuals employ. Similarly, some email services assist you in organizing your inbox by flagging and archiving messages that may be spam.
These spam emails may seem official at first glance, coming from organizations like the Social Security Administration or a reliable utility or mail service. These emails, however, are part of a larger scam aimed at stealing your money and personal details by mass emailing.
Never open the attachments or visit the links they provide. Spoofed websites are used in this type of phishing attack. Often people think they are legitimate online websites because they look too real.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or a Safe Online Service
The protocol HTTPS denotes the start of a safe website. If the site displays an SSL certificate, it has been validated as providing privacy and security connections by a trusted third party and may therefore be trusted.
An insecure connection is more common on HTTP sites since they are not checked. Because of this, you are open to a cyberattack. Remember that it takes little time for malware to completely take over your system and steal all of your data.
You should utilize a virtual private network (VPN) and visit a secure website. If you frequently use public computers, this is a must-have. Your online actions are difficult to trace with a private VPN because your IP address is hidden.
