If Online Privacy is Dead, Is There Anything We Can Do?
With so many data breaches and scams that occur all the time all over the world, it has become clear that online privacy is pretty much gone. If you are surfing the internet and using mobile devices, your data can be vulnerable. This means you need to take steps to keep yourself safe from scammers and problems like identity theft. What can you do? We’ve compiled a list of tips below to help you get started.
Remove Yourself from Online Databases
If you’ve met someone new while dating or at your job, they may not be totally honest with you, and a simple background check on Nuwber can reveal a lot of information that can help you avoid disaster. But, in the same way that you can search for others on these types of online databases, they can also search for you. Therefore, if you want to keep your information private, you can opt to have your information removed surprisingly easily.
Be Careful About What You Post on Social Media
A lot of people love using social media websites like Facebook and Instagram, but they may not realize just how much of their personal information they’re revealing to others, even if they aren’t revealing that information directly. Take a look at how you interact with others, and the posts that you share on social media. You might be giving away clues that can be used to answer security questions that could allow hackers to access your accounts.
When it comes to protecting your privacy online, analyzing how you use social media is key. Rather than posting about an upcoming vacation, checking in when you visit a new place, and filling out everything in the About Me section, keep everything vague. And look through the privacy settings to ensure your account is as secure as possible. You might, for example, want to change it from a public profile to a private profile so you can monitor and control who follows you.
Control the Permissions You Give to Your Mobile Apps
Mobile apps can be fun, helpful, and convenient, but if you aren’t careful, you might be giving away a little too much of your privacy. Go through each app on your smartphone to turn off any permissions that aren’t absolutely necessary. For example, if an app is asking to track your location, use your microphone, use your camera, or access your contacts, turn those permissions off unless the app requires them to function properly.
Say No to Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks might seem really great at first, but did you know that they typically won’t encrypt traffic, and other people who are on the network might be capable of seeing what you’re doing, and stealing your private information as a result? This is why it’s better to stick with private Wi-Fi networks for more security while you are surfing the internet. However, if you absolutely need to use a public Wi-Fi network, just take steps to avoid submitting any data, such as passwords, that you don’t want anyone else to access.
When it comes to online privacy, there are a lot of steps you can take to keep your information as secure as possible. And, these days, it’s more important than ever to ensure your data doesn’t get into the wrong hands.
