Surfing the Internet has become a part of daily routine for most individuals across the world. In fact, the Internet provides a convenient way for shopping, socializing, or working with others. Many of us often spend hours while checking latest social media feeds without paying much concerns about digital footprint which includes various online activities such as posts, comments, purchases, and cookies. Although these activities do not usually pose risks on privacy, they can increase users’ vulnerability to malicious behaviours such as scams, hacks, or identity thefts. That’s why it is worthwhile to control your digital footprint when going online. This post provides ten ways you actually need to follow in order to maximize your digital privacy protection.
Don’t Use the Same Password Everywhere
Using one password for more than a platform is actually considered a poor privacy practice that can get you in serious trouble. For instance, if you have the same password for your twitter and banking accounts, breaking into your twitter account means hackers would be able to easily get access to your banking account.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-Factor Authentication is an additional security measure provided by most online websites and it adds another layer of security by making you type in a second temporary password. The importance of Two-Factor authentication comes when someone else has your password, they won’t be able to login to your account without the temporary password which can usually come in several forms such as email confirmation, text messages, and app authentication.
Be Careful of How Much Info You Post Online
Today’s social media usage are not only limited for ideas sharing but also for sharing everyday lifestyle. For example, posting information about purchases from Amazon or Starbucks can simply put you at risk of phishing attacks. Phishing is the fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive data such as banking account information by using deceptive message pretending to be from a reputational organisation and can be usually sent via SMS, email, and social media platforms. Even though sharing personal habits has been normalized nowadays, it is necessary not to share posts that lead others to identify your location, financial info, or personal daily routines.
What to Do If You Have Already Shared Personal Info?
The happy part about phishing attacks is that it can be prevented by following some simple tips that will likely prevent you from falling in scammers’ traps. First, try to detect any errors in messages or email before processing to links. Second, find the organisation through a search engine and log in to the official website. If the message is legitimate, then you will find the same message when you log in. third, avoid opening a shortened links because they may direct you into a malware link or pages that steal credentials.
Read Terms of Services and Privacy Policy
Reading terms of service and privacy policy can shape user’s expectations on privacy and security measures undertaken by a certain platform. In fact, spending the time to read privacy policy and terms of service is your legal responsibility in order to give an informed consent for platforms as stated in different privacy regulations. Platforms usually inform users about the way their personal data are used or handled in those sections and may be entitled to sell your personal data to a third party. Being well informed about the fate of your data gives you a robust decision whether a platform’s service worth sacrificing your personal data.
Check Privacy Setting after Registration
Most of the social networking sites allow users to customize preferences for their accounts such as privacy, profile, and audience settings. These settings are set to public by the default but can be changed after registration and that would straighten privacy protection. The risk of not customizing privacy settings as public is similar to leaving your keys inside the car hoping no thefts are around.
Set Cookies Protection to Moderate
Cookies are text files that sent by websites and stored in your web browser. The majority of websites today’s ask a permission prior to collecting your cookies so they can send tailored advertising. Cookies include personal information of your online activities across websites you visit. Since not all websites can be credible, it is important to set your web browser to moderate cookies permission. By doing so, your web browser will ask for a permission to share cookies with any website that strive to collect your cookies.
Nowadays, it is significant to take proactive measures in order to ensure your privacy is protected to the maximum level. Although the Internet provides handy services, you have to be mindful of associated risks when going online. The risks include Not only platforms that pretty much prey on every personal data they can get from you but also malicious behaviours to steal and abuse your data