The Internet is full of threats to your privacy. There are web trackers that you could easily pick up browsing practically any website, actual hackers who are interested in you only for your credit card number, and others who are seeking to steal your identity. I have gathered a few of the best methods that can be used to protect your online privacy without a great deal of effort.
Beware of Open Wi-Fi
People are increasingly choosing restaurants and cafes based on whether or not they have free Wi-Fi because it allows for that instant access to the Internet that we all crave. However, these open Wi-Fi spots are excellent locations for people to mine data that will allow them to steal your identity and financial information. This is because all devices that are connected to the Internet will be able to see the information on any other devices connected to that network. In order to stop this from happening, I recommend avoiding open Wi-Fi altogether or only perform fairly innocuous tasks on open networks, such as looking at pictures of cats. If more sensitive tasks need to be performed, be sure to only go to websites that start with “https.” The “s” means that it is a secure channel. Look for a padlock symbol on the browser, which will indicate that the secure sight is functioning as it ought to.
Update Your Passwords
We are lazy, especially when we are on the Internet, and as a result we have lazy passwords. To have the strongest passwords possible, make sure that they are ten characters or longer and contain both uppercase and lowercase letters. Also make sure that they have letters, numbers, and some sort of special character. If you are having a hard time remembering a password, consider creating a phrase with no spaces and all of the above included. An example of this could be “Myp4ssw0rdisStrongerthanyours!”
Use Secure Cloud Storage
When you store any information in a cloud, it is important to understand that you are entrusting all of that information to a third-party. Before doing so, make sure that you choose a provider of cloud storage that has enough security to properly protect your information. Check the reviews of cloud managers before choosing one.
Update Digital Protection
Make sure that any digital protection that you might have, including firewalls, antivirus software, and antispyware software, is as up to date as possible. It they offer it, make sure that you check the box that will allow them to update automatically. This will save you the effort of having to check to make sure that you haven’t missed anything.
Opt Out of Tracking Cookies
Many sites are now using cookies that want to track your location. This can feel, to many, to be a huge breach of privacy. There are a few simple ways that will allow these cookies to be avoided. The first is to simply set the browser to automatically reject the application of any cookies. This can be done in the settings tab. The second is to install opt-out cookies that will automatically cause your browser to opt-out of any agreements that it did not specifically allow. There are a few dozen of these that need to be installed in order to ensure comprehensive coverage.
