With the internet becoming an integral part of our lives, online privacy has become a major concern. The data we put out on the internet can be used to track our activities, interests, purchases, location and more.
This exposes us to risks like identity theft, stalking, targeted advertising and government surveillance. Protecting your online privacy is crucial to avoid such issues. Here are some effective tips on how you can safeguard your privacy on the internet:
Use a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of the best tools to protect your online privacy. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a remote server run by the VPN provider. This hides your IP address, location and online activities from your internet service provider (ISP), government agencies, hackers and other third parties. VPN also gives you access to region-restricted content. Choose a reputed paid VPN that does not log user data. Some top VPN services are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark and ProtonVPN.
Enable HTTPS
Many websites now support HTTPS, which is the secure version of HTTP protocol. HTTPS connections are encrypted so your communication with the website is secure. To enable HTTPS, look for the padlock icon in the address bar before entering sensitive information on a website. You can also install the HTTPS Everywhere browser extension which automatically switches sites to HTTPS mode when available.
Use a Search Engine that Respects Online Privacy
Google tracks and profiles your search history to show personalized ads and search results. Switch to a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo or Startpage. These do not store your search history or IP address. Startpage sources results anonymously from Google while DuckDuckGo has its own web crawler.
Manage Browser Cookies
Cookies are small text files websites place on your browser to identify repeat visitors. But cookies can also be used to track your browsing habits. Disable third-party cookies in your browser settings. Also clear cookies and cache periodically. For greater privacy, use the privacy-oriented Firefox browser with DuckDuckGo as default search.
Use Private/Incognito Browsing
All major browsers have a Private or Incognito mode that does not save your browsing history, cookies, site data and cache. It also uses a different IP address to hide your location. Use this when browsing sensitive websites or conducting private searches. Close all Incognito tabs after use for full privacy.
Secure Messaging Apps
Be careful when messaging confidential information online. Popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger have privacy issues. Use encrypted messaging apps like Signal, Telegram or Wickr that have end-to-end encryption for secure chats and calls. Encrypted emails are also safer for sharing private data.
Limit Data Collection by Apps
Smartphone apps notoriously collect user data for analytics or targeted advertising. iOS and Android let you limit app permissions so they cannot access sensitive information like location, contacts, calendar, call logs, microphone and camera. Disable unnecessary app permissions individually. Also turn off personalized/targeted ads for apps and check if the app offers opt-out.
Use Anonymous Email Services
Your email address can give away a lot of information about you when signing up for online services. Temporary email aliases hide your real email ID. Anonymous emailers like Guerrilla Mail and EmailOnDeck generate disposable email addresses that self-destruct after use. However, you cannot reply or retrieve messages with anonymous email.
Disable Location Tracking
Smartphones and apps access your location data for navigation, weather, tagging photos and targeted advertising. Disable location access for all non-essential apps in Settings. Also turn off location history in your Google account and opt out of personalized ads. On iOS, limit ad tracking and turn on prevent cross-site tracking in Safari privacy settings.
Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi
Free public Wi-Fi networks in cafes, hotels and airports are often not secure. Your online activity on public Wi-Fi can be intercepted by hackers through techniques like snooping and man-in-the-middle attacks. Never access banking websites or share sensitive data when on public Wi-Fi. Use a VPN to encrypt traffic if you need to access important accounts.
Use Password Managers
Reusing the same password on multiple sites is risky if any one site gets hacked. Use a password manager like LastPass, 1Password or KeePass to generate and store strong unique passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible by linking your account to your mobile number.
Monitor Your Credit Reports
Keep a close eye on your credit reports periodically to detect any misuse of your identity like loans or cards taken in your name. You can get free annual credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Use a credit monitoring service to track your credit score and get alerts for suspicious activity.
Remove Personal Details from Online Profiles
Your social media profiles and posts can reveal a lot of personal information like date of birth, address, workplace, lifestyle habits, political views etc. Prune your online profiles and tighten privacy settings to reveal minimum details publicly. Also opt out of data aggregation sites like Spokeo that create your online profile using public data.
Use Debit Cards for Online Purchases
Credit cards may offer rewards points and buyer protection for online purchases but also expose you to identity theft risk. Use virtual debit cards or prepaid cards when shopping online. You can generate virtual debit cards for one-time use through banks like Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank. Set lower purchase limits on cards to minimize fraud.
Read Privacy Policies Thoroughly
Before signing up for any online service, thoroughly read its privacy policy. It will reveal what user data is being collected, how it will be shared/used and options available to users to limit sharing of private information. Avoid using apps/services that force you to agree to unfair data collection and sharing terms.
Conclusion
Protecting your online privacy requires being vigilant about your digital footprint and proactively securing your devices, accounts and online presence. Following the tips outlined above will help minimize your exposure to cybercrime and privacy violations as you browse the internet. With data breaches on the rise, adopting strong privacy hygiene practices is essential for everyone.
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