Whether it’s your contact details, personal updates or browsing history, the information you share online is a goldmine for hackers, bullies and spammers. It’s harder than ever to maintain privacy on the Internet, which is why it’s essential to take steps to protect yourself and your devices.
The Internet is a constant battleground for companies that want to use your data to target you with ads, and governments that want access to that information for mass surveillance purposes. The legal landscape is constantly changing, making it difficult to keep up.
Aside from adjusting your settings on Facebook, Twitter or other social media sites, there are a variety of tools available to help you stay private online. For instance, some browsers — like Opera — offer a ‘Do Not Track’ option that sends a request to websites not to collect or share your personal information. Additionally, there are search engines such as DuckDuckGo and Ecosia that don’t track your browsing activity or sell it to advertisers.
Another way to stay private is to educate yourself about the laws and regulations that affect your online privacy, and support those that work in your favor. If you’re a citizen of the United States, get involved by contacting your legislators about bills and voicing your opinions on forums such as Reddit. You can also strengthen your online security by taking advantage of tools that prevent cyber criminals from stealing your information, such as a VPN, a privacy-focused browser and a secure messaging app like Telegram.