8 tricks to protect your privacy online

By making a few simple changes to your devices and accounts you can keep them secure from unwanted third parties, as well as protect your online privacy.

Getting started is easy. Here's a guide to some simple changes you can make to protect yourself and your information.

1. Use secure passwords

Creating and maintaining secure passwords is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to protect your privacy.

We know you've probably been told a million times that it's a bad idea to reuse passwords for multiple accounts, but it's worth emphasising this point because according to a survey by Psychology of Passwords, most people reuse the same password for multiple accounts.

Here's a quick list of do's and don'ts for secure password habits:

Do's:

- Use multi-factor authentication, also known as two-factor authentication. It is very effective and does not require a lot of work.

- Change your passwords regularly, especially when there may be a data breach.

- Create long passwords. Length is even more crucial than complexity. Passwords become exponentially harder to crack with each additional character you add.

- Create a master password for your device. While a PIN is an option, an alphanumeric password offers more security, or even better a biometric one.

 

Don'ts:

- Use the same password for multiple accounts.

- Create passwords with easily obtainable information, such as birthdays or your pet's name.

- Use simple or obvious terms, such as "password" or "12345".

2. Use a VPN

If you're looking for a simple step you can take to get complete online protection, the best thing to do is to invest in a high quality VPN.

They are easy to set up and can provide you with some of the most comprehensive protection against the most dreaded threats to your online privacy.

Some of the measures you can take to protect your privacy are designed to correct the damage after the fact. A VPN, on the other hand, will protect your Internet connection before the damage is done.

 It provides you with online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network from a public Internet connection. VPNs mask your Internet Protocol (IP) address so that your online actions are virtually untraceable.

Their use is especially important when you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network such as in a library, coffee shop or other public place.

3. Protect your e-mail

The major email services go to great lengths to create robust security measures and quickly address vulnerabilities.

However, none of these security protocols do anything to protect your emails if a government agency forces your provider to hand over your information. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of government authorities being able to read your emails, you will have to take additional steps to protect your privacy.

The problem is that most methods of encrypting your emails are not very effective. For example, end-to-end encryption is only possible if the recipient is aware, willing and able to participate in the process. After all, you need your recipient to decrypt your message in order to read it.

The most practical solution is to use a privacy-oriented email provider that offers a dedicated encrypted webmail service.

4. Update your software and devices

The operating systems of phones and computers, web browsers, popular applications and even smart home devices receive frequent updates with new features and security improvements.

These security updates are often much better at thwarting hackers than antivirus software.

All three major operating systems can update automatically, but you should take a moment to check that you have automatic updates enabled for the operating system of your choice: Windows, macOS or Chrome OS.

These updates include new versions of Microsoft's Edge browser and Apple's Safari. Most third-party web browsers, including Google's Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, also update automatically.

For third-party software and applications, you may need to check for and enable the "Check for updates" option in your software settings.

Smart home devices, such as cameras, thermostats and light bulbs, may receive updates to both the application and the hardware itself. Check the settings through the device's app to ensure that these updates are done automatically, otherwise you may need to manually restart the device from time to time.

5. Browse in private mode

If you do not want your computer to save your browsing history, temporary Internet files or cookies, browse in private mode.

Web browsers offer their own versions of this form of privacy protection. In Chrome, it's called Incognito Mode. Firefox calls its setting Private Browsing, and Internet Explorer uses the name InPrivate Browsing for its privacy feature. When you browse with these modes turned on, others will not be able to track your browsing history from your computer.

But these private modes are not completely private. When you search in incognito or private mode, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can still see your browsing activity. If you search on a company computer, so can your employer. The websites you visit can also track you.

So, yes, incognito browsing has certain advantages. But it is far from the only tool available to help you maintain your privacy while online.

6. Invest in anti-malware and firewall software

Anti-malware and firewalls are no longer just for computers. As mobile technology advances, it's more important than ever to protect yourself from malicious apps, processes and programs that seek to steal your data, your money or your identity.

Anti-malware apps continuously scan your Android device to find and alert you of suspicious or harmful files. If you visit a website that attempts to download a malicious file, redirect you somewhere dangerous, or compromise your security, your anti-malware will block it.

Firewalls monitor traffic going in and out of your device. Since you have little control over the behaviour of applications once you download them, a firewall can help you keep them under control. They monitor the actions of applications to ensure that they do not download or send unauthorised data from your device.

Depending on your configuration, the firewall will automatically block certain traffic and help you control what traffic is allowed through.

While a one-way firewall will help protect your phone or tablet from malware, a two-way firewall will be even more effective in protecting your privacy. Two-way firewalls not only prevent unwanted traffic from reaching your device, but also prevent applications on your device from accessing the Internet without permission. This can make it impossible for malware to share your private information.

7. Only download trustworthy apps and regularly check permits

Nowadays there are apps for everything. And as with anything you download, apps can contain malware or other issues that can put your privacy at risk.

To protect yourself, there are several things to consider before downloading an app:

- Download apps only from trusted sources and developers: If you're downloading an app you don't know, read reviews and check ratings to see what other users think of it.

- Carefully review the permissions an app requests. Be wary of apps that ask for unnecessary information. For example, be wary of a game that requires access to your address book.

- Regularly check the permissions of downloaded applications to make sure nothing has changed.

- If it is not necessary for an app to function, consider disabling the location permission to avoid unintentionally broadcasting your movements.

 8. Raise awareness

Ultimately, security and privacy are linked, so get into the habit of protecting both:

- Be wary of links in emails and on social media.

- Make your accounts private and don't share anything that you wouldn't care if it got out anyway.

- Keep your primary email address and phone number relatively private.

- Use a disposable email account that you don't care about for shopping and other online activities; that way, if an account is hacked, it won't be linked to an important personal account, such as your bank account.

Once you have become aware / wary of new applications and services, you will be on your way to avoiding many privacy-invading practices.

At ESED we can help you protect and combat the cybersecurity threats that your company faces every day, if you have any questions or would be interested in learning more about our services, please do not hesitate to contact us.