How to protect your online privacy

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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In today's digital age, protecting your online privacy is more important than ever. With the growing threats posed by hackers, data miners, and other malicious entities, it's vital to keep personal information safe online. In this guide, we'll explore various ways to protect your online privacy.

1. Use strong passwords

The easiest way to start protecting your online privacy is to use strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts. A strong password typically includes the following:

• upper and lower case letters
• Number
• Special characters (such as &, %, $, #)

Example:

User:Jane Doe
Weak password: janedoe123
Strong password: J@neD0e$2023!

2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password. When you enable 2FA, you'll need to provide another form of identification in addition to your password, such as:

• A code was sent to your phone
• Fingerprint Scan
• Code generated by the authenticator app

Example implementation:

To enable 2FA on a service like Google:
1. Go to your Google Account Settings.
2. Find the 2-Step Verification section.
3. Follow the instructions to add your phone number or authenticator app.

3. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your Internet traffic, making it difficult for third parties to track your online activities. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi networks. When choosing a VPN service, pay attention to the following features:

• No-logs policy, which means the VPN doesn’t store your activity
• Strong encryption standards (e.g., AES-256)
• High speed servers
• Servers in multiple locations

Example usage:

1. Subscribe to a VPN service (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN application on your device.
3. Log in and connect to the server of your choice.

4. Beware of phishing attempts

Phishing is a method used by attackers to obtain personal information from you. Phishing attempts often appear as legitimate emails, messages, or websites. To avoid becoming a victim:

• Check the sender's email address carefully.
• Look for grammar and spelling errors in the message.
• Do not click on suspicious links.
• Do not download attachments from unknown sources.
• Verify the authenticity of the message by contacting the organization directly through official channels.

Example of a phishing email:

From: info@b4nk.com
Subject: Urgent: Your account has been suspended

Dear Customer,
We have noticed unusual activity in your bank account. Please click on the link below and verify your information to unlock your account.
[Fake URL]

5. Keep the software and device updated

Software updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities. By keeping your device and software updated, you help protect yourself from security risks. This applies to:

• Operating System (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Web Browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
• Mobile apps
• Antivirus software

Example:

Windows Update:
1. Open Settings.
2. Go to "Update & Security."
3. Click “Check for Updates” and install the available updates.

6. Use a privacy-focused search engine

Many popular search engines like Google track your searches and collect data. Privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo and Startpage don't track your searches or collect your data. Using these services can help you keep your online activities private.

7. Pay attention to social media privacy settings

Social media platforms often collect a lot of data about their users. To protect your privacy, review and adjust your privacy settings regularly. Key settings to pay attention to include:

• Who can see your posts
• Who can send you friend requests or follow you
• Who can find you using your email address or phone number
• Ad settings to limit targeted advertising

Example:

On Facebook:
1. Go to Settings & Privacy.
2. Select Privacy Shortcuts.
3. Adjust who can see your future posts and past posts.
4. Review and manage ad preferences.

8. Limit data sharing across apps and websites

Many apps and websites request access to personal data that they don't need. Limit the amount of data you share by:

• Review permissions before installing or using the app
• Turning off unnecessary permissions like location or microphone access
• Use guest accounts when possible

Example:

On the mobile app:
1. Go to Settings.
2. Go to the App Permissions section.
3. Turn off permissions that are not needed for the app to work.

9. Be careful with public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks can be vulnerable to attacks and impersonation. When using public Wi-Fi:

• Avoid accessing sensitive accounts (such as banking)
• Use a VPN to encrypt your traffic
• Make sure the network is legitimate and not an illegal hotspot

10. Use encrypted messaging services

Standard messaging services often don't provide end-to-end encryption, leaving your messages accessible to others. Switch to encrypted messaging services like Signal, WhatsApp, or Telegram to keep your conversations private.

11. Clear cookies and browser history

Websites often use cookies to track your online behavior. Regularly clearing your cookies and browsing history can help maintain your online privacy. You can also use browser settings to block third-party cookies by default.

Example:

In Chrome:
1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Privacy and Security.
3. Clear browsing data and set cookie settings to block third-party cookies.

12. Use email encryption

Standard email services do not provide end-to-end encryption, which means that emails can be intercepted and read by others. Use encrypted email services like ProtonMail or use a tool like PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) to encrypt your emails end-to-end.

Example using PGP:

1. Install a PGP tool (for example, Gpg4win for Windows).
2. Generate a key pair (a public key and a private key).
3. Share your public key with people you want to receive encrypted email from.
4. They can encrypt emails using your public key, and you can decrypt them with your private key.

13. Read privacy policies

Before using any services or apps, take the time to read their privacy policies. This will let you know what data is being collected, how it’s being used, and who it’s being shared with. Only use services that prioritize your privacy and have transparent data practices.

14. Use anti-tracking tools

Anti-tracking tools and browser extensions can help prevent websites from tracking your online activities. Some popular anti-tracking tools include Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin, and Disconnect. These tools block trackers and protect your privacy while browsing the web.

Example:

To install Privacy Badger on Firefox:
1. Go to the Firefox add-ons page.
2. Search for Privacy Badger.
3. Click “Add to Firefox” and follow the installation prompts.

15. Beware of data brokers

Data brokers collect personal information from a variety of online sources and sell it to third parties. Be careful about the information you share online and use services that remove your data from data broker databases. Some services can help you opt-out of data broker lists for a fee.

16. Keep track of your digital footprint

Monitor your online presence regularly to ensure your private information is not exposed. Search your name on search engines, review your social media profiles and use tools like Have I Been Pwned to check if any of your data has been exposed in a data breach.

17. Create separate email addresses

Using different email addresses for different purposes (e.g., one for work, one for online shopping, one for personal communications) can help differentiate your online activities and reduce the risk if an account is compromised.

Example:

Personal email: jane.doe@gmail.com
Work Email: jane.doe@company.com
Shopping Email: jane.doe.shopping@gmail.com

18. Take care of smart devices

Smart devices such as voice assistants, smart TVs, and IoT devices often collect extensive data about their users. Make sure your smart devices are configured to protect your privacy, such as:

• Turn off data storage features you don't use
• Updating device firmware regularly
• Review and customize privacy settings

19. Know your rights

Be aware of your rights related to data protection and privacy. Different countries have different regulations (e.g., GDPR in Europe, CCPA in California). Knowing your rights can help you take action if your privacy is violated.

20. Back up your data

Regularly back up your personal data to a safe location (e.g., cloud storage with encryption, external hard drive). This ensures that you can recover your data if it becomes lost or compromised.

21. Be careful in online transactions

When making online transactions, make sure the website is secure. Look for HTTPS in the URL and use secure payment methods like PayPal or credit cards that offer fraud protection. Avoid saving payment information on the website.

Conclusion

Protecting your online privacy requires vigilance and proactive measures. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can greatly reduce the risk of exposure of your personal information. Remember, online privacy is an ongoing process, and it's important to stay informed about new threats and best practices.

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