As the world becomes increasingly connected through the internet, privacy and anonymity have become something critical for anyone to achieve when on the internet. The ever increasing threat of cyber-attacks, data breaches, and click frauds has rendered personal information as sensitive as never before. Luckily, there are methods you can take to enhance your online protection easily and effectively. Here are some tips on how you can protect your self and become less traceable online.
1. Try VPN – Virtual Private Network
VPN is one of the most effective technologies for guarding one’s privacy; it is a Private Network implemented virtually. A VPN works by encapsulating your computer or any device with a layer of security through the creation of a tunnel through which your data passes when accessing the Internet, your IP address is therefore masked and anyone who tries to monitor your activity is left in the dark.
 |
| @Freepik |
Tips for Using a VPN:
- Choose a Reliable VPN Provider: Choose one that does not keep a record of traffic, uses secure protocols and respects the user’s privacy. Search the providers’ credentials that are related to security, paying attention to the reviews about them.
- Use VPN on All Devices: For the complete protection, configure a VPN client on any device you employ, whether it is a Smartphone, tablet, a laptop, and a personal computer. There are various VPN services that provide several options for multi-device connections and one license for several devices.
- Avoid Free VPNs: Although one is capable of using a free VPN service, the same are not very effective in offering privacy protection services where your data might be sold to third-party companies. As a rule, paid VPN protects your data better and provides higher levels of encryption.
2. Limit Social Media Sharing
Actually, social networks have become the primary sources to collect user data; people create profiles based on the user actions for advertising purposes or data resale. It becomes advisable to avoid disclosing as much information as possible to the people on the mentioned platforms.
Tips for Safe Social Media Use:
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Almost all social networks like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, allow their users to adjust the privacy setting. Spend several minutes to set some options to determine who can see your updates, profile information, and wall.
- Avoid Sharing Personal Details: Do not consider it safe to share your home address, contact details including that of your family members, or any information related to a trip that you are planning to undertake. Such information is an asset when in the wrong hands as it provides all sorts of information about the user.
- Be Mindful of Photos and Location Tags: Portrait any post with any geographical information since this can reveal your real-time location besides avoiding positional-data in your images. However, for such content it is better to publish it once you are not in a certain area or simply turn the location tagging off.
3. Two-Factor Authentication or commonly referred to as 2FA.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra protective layer to your options by allowing access to your account only when you enter two types of security for instance, a password and a code received to your mobile device simultaneously.
Tips for Setting Up 2FA:
- Activate 2FA on Key Accounts: The next action is to enable 2FA on the accounts with some critical information like e-mails, banks, social network accounts, etc. Today all the major platforms like Google, Facebook, and Twitter all incorporate variable types of 2FA.
- Choose the Right 2FA Method: If possible, use an authentication application (for instance Google authenticator or Authy as appropriate) because unlike the code sent to email or text then application provides a one time use code with a validity period of less than fifteen minutes.
- Backup Your 2FA Codes: Some of the platforms allow backup codes for 2FA, in the event one is locked out of the initial gadget that was preferred. Save these codes securely preferably in a password manager.
4. passwords should therefore always be strong and unique.
Regulating passwords is one of the simplest and at the same time most effective ways of protecting your data, especially when you use different passwords for different accounts. Never repeat a password you use for different platforms because this will make you vulnerable to cyber criminals.
Tips for Better Password Security:
- Create Complex Passwords: Passwords should have small letters, capital letters, numbers and other signs as it would be hard to decode such a password.
- Avoid Using Personal Information: Avoid using personal identifiable information such as name, birthday as well as popular word or phrase as passwords.
- Use a Password Manager: There are plenty of password managers such as LastPass, 1Password and Bitwarden that can help you create and later on memorize complicated passwords. It also becomes easier to meet the Standard on use and creation of unique passwords for different accounts.
5. Avoid Getting Caught up in Email and Phishing Schemes
Phishing scams are the most common of all cyber-crimes; they are usually fake emails or messenger messages designed to lure you into releasing your identity or clicking something destructive. Phishing can be avoided if one takes a critical view over unwanted messages which are sent to the subject.
Tips to Avoid Phishing Scams:
- Verify Sender Information: Do not believe emails from unknown senders, or messages with typographical mistakes, or links provided in the body of the email.
- Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links: Mouse over links to discover where they will direct you and should not download files from unknown sources.
- Report Phishing Attempts: Google and Hotmail are just two examples of email programs that let you report a phishing email. This can assist you and other users to prevent similar attack from any individual or group.
6. Secure Browsing and Private Browsing Extensions
That is why standard web browsers accumulate a great deal of information on your browsing activity and your personal data. Some browsers prioritize your privacy and you should be able to add some security add-ons to make yourself anonymous online.
Tips for a Private Browsing Experience:
- Choose Privacy-Focused Browsers: Some browsers such as Brave, DuckDuckGo, and Mozilla Firefox are built with user’s privacy in mind by denying any trackers and limiting on collection of users data.
- Install Privacy Extensions: Some options to improve the privacy mode are the installation of the browser extensions: uBlock Origin - the ad blocker, HTTPS Everywhere – for fast switching to secure connections, Privacy Badger – for blocking the tracking.
- Use Incognito Mode Carefully: During experimenting, it is advisable to use incognito or private mode browsing in order to avoid the storage of data in your current device; however, they do not help in concealing your IP address nor help in the blocking of trackers all the time. It is recommended to use it with other programs, for instance, a VPN for your enhanced anonymity online.
7. Check App Permission and Data Gathering Time to Time
Most apps are invasive with what they capture; they capture a lot more than is needed such as, location details of the device, contacts and even browsing patterns. That means reviewing these permissions can help reduce your level of exposure to data collection.
Tips for Managing App Permissions:
- Review Permissions Regularly: Both on iOS and Android devices, you are able to view or change permissions for the applications that you are using. Do not ask for permissions which are not necessary when an app is in use or running.
- Uninstall Unused Apps: If you’re not using an application anymore, it is recommended to remove it to stop your data from being collected.
- Limit Background Data Access: A lot of apps have been devised to gather information from the devices even when such apps are not being used. You should also limit permissions for background data because it is better for your privacy.
Since our personal information has become one of the most demanded goods for the modern world, controlling your online identity is of high importance. Following such basic steps you decrease your digital fingerprint, safeguard personal data, and increase the level of security online. Just bear in mind that keeping one's privacy is not a one-time thing, always ensure that you are up to date with the security measures prevailing in today society.
