Online privacy is a hot topic. You must be worried about how safe you are online, aren’t you? We are under constant surveillance as attempts are made to collect information about our habits and opinions. Despite this, online presence is something you can’t avoid because of the many benefits it offers, both professional (like building a network of peers) or personal (like connecting with your friends).
So, how do you stay safe online? The trick is to stay balanced while sharing things online. Don’t go overboard sharing anything and everything. There are common mistakes to avoid as well. We share some tips with you that’ll help you stay connected while staying safe.
Avoid Cookies
Cookies are important players in online tracking. They refer to files anonymously associated with you and that contain information about your online habits. Many sites indeed need cookies to function (like remembering that you have visited the site before). However, that should not stop you from blocking some of the cookies. Third-party cookies are the ones that typically rang the alarm for users concerned about their privacy. Thus, the end of third-party cookies is upon us. While it might be a celebration, there are new tracking techniques in the makings.
Use a VPN for More Protection
A VPN app is a tool you can use to protect your private information. It works like this: a VPN builds a secure encrypted tunnel for all your communications. Thus, no one (including ISPs, hackers, or marketers) can snoop on your activities. Of course, it is not the only tool you will need. Antivirus tools and safe browsing are necessities for all netizens attempting to stay safe online.
Use your Privacy and Security Settings Wisely
We know you might love sharing your experiences on social media platforms. However, you run the risk of getting unwanted attention. Knowing how to use your privacy and security settings can help. Use the privacy settings to limit the people who see your posts. That way, you can make sure that only your friends can see your posts or photos.
Keep Personal Information to Yourself
Be very careful about the personal information you share on social networking sites. Avoid publicly revealing sensitive information. You should also be wary of posting such things as house keys or flight tickets as technology could allow criminals to copy them. Moreover, share only limited information online and stop trusting sites blindly. Keep things restricted to only that bit of information, which is an absolute must to use. For example, skip mentioning your phone number in your Facebook details.
Again, you should keep yourself safe from attacks by cybercriminals always snooping around to steal your sensitive information. Surely, you must be worried about being tracked online. Here’s another risk you should protect yourself from. Some handy advice on how you can protect your online identity and stay under the radar.
HTTPS Everywhere
If a website’s URL is prefixed by ‘HTTPS,’ it indicates that it has a valid Secure Socket Layer (SSL). It’s an indication of a website’s authenticity and security. There are times when you’re redirected to a website’s insecure version. With HTTPS Everywhere installed on your browser, you enjoy the safety of being switched to the secure HTTPS version from the insecure non-HTTPS version. Installing HTTPS Everywhere protects you from unsecured websites, which you might come across while browsing the internet.
Let’s say you submit some personal details on an HTTP website. Then, this information is usually unsafe, could be stolen by anyone willing to listen. Thus, never purchase goods or fill out forms on websites that do not offer the appropriate protection for your data.
Conclusion
Don’t wait for something to go wrong. From government agencies to hackers, everyone’s trying to keep track of our online identity and activities. Online safety is a debatable topic as there’re more ways of stealing your information than to protect. Thus, you must be extremely careful while sharing personal and financial data over the internet.
Install the recommended security and privacy setup to safeguard against rising online threats. Stop worrying and be proactive. If you do follow the guidelines security experts make, you should be able to enjoy your online experience. After all, it is always better to be safe than sorry, right?
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