Even with the most advanced internet security tools, surfing and storing any of your data online puts you in danger of privacy loss and hacking. It’s important to understand that hackers and the government are not the only ones monitoring your online activities; marketers and social networks also gather user data for their purposes. To do so, you must follow a set of internet privacy guidelines to keep yourself and your data secure when online. Protect your privacy online by following these five critical internet privacy tips:
Modify your Internet Protocol address
There are many techniques available for changing your IP address and therefore preventing businesses and others from tracking your online activity. One method to accomplish this is to use a VPN service, which will encrypt and protect your internet conversations and surfing.
Private browsing
There are many methods for setting your browser to private or “incognito” mode on your desktop, which may help minimize the danger of being tracked or monitored. Additionally, it is critical to choose do-not-track options while surfing on sites such as Google and Internet Explorer. You may install a browser plug-in on your browser to provide an additional layer of security and anonymity when online.
Log out every time
Not only should you turn off your computer after each usage, but you should also log out whenever you use ‘dangerous’ services such as internet browsers or social networking sites to safeguard your online security.
Create Google alerts for yourself
Setting up a Google Alert for yourself is a simple way to keep track of who is online referencing you, your service, or your company. Having such an alert may assist you in identifying and avoiding fraudulent online users and sites. To create a Google Alert, visit this page: http://www.google.com/alerts/manage and click to create a new alert using your name or the name of your company as the search phrase.
Recognize the true purpose of ‘privacy’ policies
While privacy rules may be difficult to comprehend, it is critical to grasp their purpose to remain secure online. Essentially, a privacy policy is created so that you can see what information a website or application collects about its users and how that information is used. Privacy policies are required by law to safeguard a customer’s or client’s privacy; thus, if you believe your privacy has been violated, reviewing the privacy policy should be the first step. Some tools summarize privacy policies and therefore help you understand them. If you believe you need further assistance, keep an eye out for such tools.
Everyone has something to conceal while they are online. It may not be from law enforcement, but we all need to protect our data from hackers, marketers, and even merchants. Thus, we must all be aware of the critical nature of online safety and protection, as well as the fact that remaining secure and protected does not require a single privacy tool, but rather a combination of many privacy tools that fit you and your online habits.