It can be difficult to maintain your privacy when it seems like every company out there is trying to mine your data for their own gain. However, with a few simple steps, you can take back some control over your online activity and protect yourself from prying eyes. In this article, we’ve outlined how to win back privacy on your online activity using a variety of different methods. We hope that by following these tips, you’ll feel more in control of your digital life and less exposed to potential threats.
1. Use a VPN
One of the best ways to protect your online activity is to use a VPN or virtual private network. A VPN encrypts your traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel, making it much more difficult for anyone to snoop on your activity. There are many different VPN providers out there and some even offer a VPN free trial. So, be sure to do your research and find one that suits your needs.
2. Use Tor
If you’re really serious about protecting your privacy, you can use the Tor network. Tor is free and open-source software that routes your traffic through multiple layers of encryption, making it extremely difficult to track your activity. However, because Tor is often used by criminals and privacy-conscious individuals, it can be hard to find legitimate services that work with the network. If you decide to use Tor, be sure to only access websites that you trust and have verified as being safe.
3. Use a Secure Browser Extension
There are many different browser extensions that claim to improve your privacy, but not all of them are created equal. Some extensions, like Privacy Badger, block third-party trackers and stop companies from following you around the web. Others, like HTTPS Everywhere, force websites to use a more secure version of the HTTP protocol. Be sure to do your research before installing any extension, as some have been known to violate your privacy instead of protecting it.
4. Use a Secure Search Engine
Most search engines, like Google, track your searches and use that information to serve you targeted ads. If you’re looking for a more private way to search the web, we recommend using DuckDuckGo. This search engine doesn’t track your searches or show you targeted ads, making it a much better option for those concerned about their privacy.
5. Use a Password Manager
One of the weakest links in your online security is often your passwords. If you’re using weak and easily guessed passwords, it’s only a matter of time before someone gains access to your accounts. To stay safe, we recommend using a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts. This way, even if one of your passwords is compromised, the others will still be safe.
6. Use Two-Factor Authentication
Another great way to improve your online security is to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts. 2FA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring you to enter a code from your phone or another device whenever you try to log in. This makes it much harder for someone to gain access to your account, even if they have your password. Many popular websites and services now offer 2FA, so be sure to take advantage of it wherever possible.
7. Keep Your Software Up-To-Date
One of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your online activity is to make sure your software is always up-to-date. Software developers regularly release updates that patch security vulnerabilities, so it’s important to install them as soon as they’re available. Many operating systems and browsers now offer automatic updates, so you don’t even need to think about it – just be sure to check occasionally to ensure that everything is up-to-date.
8. Be Careful About What You Click On
Another simple way to protect your online activity is to be careful what you click on. Many malicious websites and email attachments are designed to trick you into installing malware or revealing personal information. Before clicking on any link, be sure to verify that it’s from a trusted source. If you’re not sure, try hovering over the link to see where it’s really taking you – if the address looks suspicious, don’t click on it.
It can be difficult to maintain privacy on the internet, but it's not impossible. In this article, we've outlined a few ways that you can reclaim some of your online privacy and keep your personal data from being scooped up and sold off to the highest bidder. We hope that these tips help you take back some control over your digital life.