There is much that can be done to protect your privacy. That’s why we’ve selected 9 tips to improve your online security without having to give up on your web life.
Table of Contents
Use a Private Browser
Setting up a private mode window in Mozilla Firefox or Chrome is a good way to quickly protect your online activities, but it’s far from complete.
In addition, it specifically requires the opening of another browser window, which leaves the standard usage of users who do not have much intimacy with computing.
Yes, people should care more about their privacy, but sometimes, it is not always possible for everyone to have that awareness and knowledge. The best option, in this case, is to have a private browser and use it for everything. Good options include Brave and Epic, which are simple browsers with a user-friendly interface and even beginner users can use.
Use Multiple Email Addresses
This is a fairly simple and common trick, and it works by segregating incoming emails into different accounts based on their content.
Having an email address for personal emails, business correspondence, accounts, web registrations and any other use case that can be applied can be a way to protect yourself if your email is in any way violated.
This also helps to reduce inbox clutter, but it also means that you will have to juggle with more than one email address.
This is a lot easier than it sounds, and having a different password for each one means that if one is compromised, your other accounts will be safe.
Use a Password Algorithm Instead of a Password
This is definitely one of the easiest ways to protect yourself online.
One of the biggest vulnerabilities people have is reusing the same password for multiple accounts, so if an attacker gets their password, they can try it on every account you have, so they can access all your accounts data.
Remembering a dozen passwords is difficult, which is why most of us keep a password for everything.
But there is a simple technique for creating complex passwords and you remember them easily. It’s called a password algorithm. It is nothing more than a simple rule. For example, take a phrase from a song, poem or from a book, in short, a phrase that marked you and was never forgotten.
Now take the first letter of each word of the sentence and form your password.
And increase security by interspersing letters with uppercase and lowercase letters. By doing this you will have a more secure password than just your date of birth, wedding, or some document of your own. Hackers and even eavesdroppers can easily find this kind of password.
You just need to remember how to apply the algorithm to a particular site and never have to remember or write down any passwords.
Use a VPN, especially on public connections
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) became popular by companies where employees could access server data securely even if they were away from the company on a professional trip, for example. And so the VPNs have expanded to the general public.
It is also one of the best ways to ensure your privacy..
Nothing on the Internet is free
There is a famous axiom on the internet that says if someone offers you something for free, it is because you are the product.
So if there is media, there is advertising. And that’s not bad, but it gets more troublesome when your data starts to be bought and sold without your knowledge or control. Something “free” often comes at the cost of your online privacy.
That is why you should always be skeptical about the “free” offer and the more information you have to provide on a website, the more skeptical it should be. That is why it is also interesting to set up an email account specifically for purchases and other signatures of free offers, as stated in the previous topic.
Invest in high-quality antivirus/firewall software every year While this is obvious, a surprising number of people do not use this kind of solution.
More importantly, just as some products and services improve or worsen over time when it comes time to renew this software, access and check which product is most in your account.
Search for reviews of the best antivirus software every year. Last year’s efficient product may have slipped some rungs ever since.
Always look for the best protection you can get. It is no longer safe to stay with it just because it is already installed.
Check Regularly if your data is Compromised
Just as if checking your bank account, credit card applications and invoices to see if there were no errors (or even possible fraud), you should regularly check if your data has been compromised by a third party.
There are several websites to check if your email, passwords or other data have been compromised by a hack so you can take steps to protect your accounts.
Be Cautious when Interacting with Unsolicited Emails
The phishing is the best way for hackers to obtain your information; And if you think you can identify an attempt of that kind of blow, you certainly will not.
The level of sophistication increases every day and the consequences of a phishing scam can be catastrophic.
If an unexpected email appears, whether from your bank, credit card, or other site where you have an account, and you request a click on a link or to download, do not do so. Go directly to the bank’s website, the card or whatever to see if the request is proceeding. If you prefer, contact us by phone and ask about the request. Generally, banks and card administrators do not ask to update passwords or personal data by email.
If the email is legitimate, there will be a notification on the page of your bank account in most cases, where you can view or download any information you need to see.
If there is no record of any subject on the email, please report it immediately and check that your accounts have been compromised.
Cover or unplug your webcam and microphone!
If a hacker can access your computer, he can probably access everything he wants, and that includes his webcam and his microphone.
Nothing can be more intrusive than having some hacker watching what is going on at your house or listening to your conversations, so if you can disconnect your webcam and microphone when they are not in use, do so.
If they can not be disconnected, cover them with electrical tape when not in use. If that’s what Mark Zuckerberg and the FBI did , that’s a good tip for us too. After all, these guys know everything about collecting data online from people, do not they?
If you need help, have doubts or concerns, do not hesitate to leave a comment in the comment box below and we will try to help you as soon as possible!