Every day, we share more personal information than we realize. Our phones track our locations, our online searches are recorded, and surveillance cameras watch us as we move through cities. Governments, corporations, and hackers are all looking for ways to collect, use, and even sell our data. But does that mean we have to accept this loss of privacy? Absolutely not.
Protecting your privacy in a world filled with surveillance takes effort, but it’s not impossible. By making a few smart changes to your digital habits, you can take back control of your personal information and reduce the risks of being watched.
- Secure Your Online Browsing
Your internet activity leaves a trail of digital footprints that companies, advertisers, and even governments can track. But you can take steps to keep your browsing private.
Some browsers collect data on everything you do. Switching to a browser that prioritizes privacy can make a big difference. Brave, Mozilla Firefox, and Tor are great options because they block trackers and don’t store your browsing history. Most browsers have a private browsing option. While this doesn’t make you completely invisible, it prevents your browsing history from being saved and reduces tracking by websites.
In addition, a VPN hides your IP address, making it harder for websites, advertisers, and hackers to track your online activity. Some trusted VPN services include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and ProtonVPN. Most websites use tracking cookies to follow your activity across the internet. Installing browser extensions like Privacy Badger, Ghostery, or uBlock Origin can block these trackers and keep advertisers from building a profile on you.
- Lock Down Your Social Media
Social media platforms collect huge amounts of data on their users, from your interests to your location and even private messages. Here’s how to reduce what they know about you:
- Adjust Your Privacy Settings. Every social media platform has privacy settings—take advantage of them. Set your profile to private, limit who can see your posts, and turn off location tracking.
- Be Careful What You Share. The more information you post online, the easier it is for people to track you. Avoid sharing personal details like your full birthdate, phone number, or home address.
- Limit Third-Party Apps. Many social media accounts allow third-party apps to access your data. Check your app permissions and remove any apps you don’t trust or use.
- Protect Your Devices
Your phone, laptop, and tablet contain a huge amount of personal data. Keeping them secure is one of the best ways to protect your privacy.
A weak password makes it easy for hackers to get into your accounts. Use long, unique passwords for each site and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. Encryption scrambles your data so that even if someone steals your device, they can’t access your files. Most modern smartphones and computers offer encryption in their settings.
Your phone constantly tracks your location, and apps often collect this data without you knowing. Go into your settings and disable location tracking for apps that don’t need it. Regular text messages can be intercepted, so for private conversations, use end-to-end encrypted messaging apps like Signal or Telegram.
- Be Cautious with Smart Devices
Smart home devices, voice assistants, and security cameras make life convenient, but they also collect personal data that can be hacked or shared with companies. Check the privacy settings on your smart speakers (like Alexa or Google Home) and delete voice recordings regularly. Turn off the microphone when you’re not using it.
If your home Wi-Fi is open or has a weak password, hackers can access your data. Use a strong password and consider setting up a guest network for visitors. Many cyberattacks happen because of outdated software. Make sure your phone, computer, and smart devices always have the latest updates to fix security vulnerabilities.
- Minimize Your Digital Footprint
Every action you take online leaves a trail. Reducing what’s out there about you can help protect your privacy. Google tracks everything you search for, but privacy-friendly search engines like DuckDuckGo or Startpage don’t store your search history.
If you have accounts on websites or apps you no longer use, delete them. The less personal information stored online, the better. When signing up for services that don’t require your real email, use a temporary email service like Guerrilla Mail or ProtonMail.
- Beware of Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s also risky. Hackers can intercept your data on unsecured networks. If you must use public Wi-Fi, don’t log into your bank account or other sensitive services.
A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it much harder for hackers to steal your data while using public Wi-Fi. Some devices automatically connect to open Wi-Fi networks. Disable this setting to prevent connecting to potentially dangerous hotspots.
- Watch Out for Scams and Phishing
Hackers and scammers often trick people into giving away personal information through fake emails, texts, and phone calls. If you get an email or text with a link asking for personal details, verify the sender before clicking. Before entering your login information, make sure you’re on the real website and not a fake one. Secure websites start with “https://”.
If someone calls or emails claiming to be from your bank or a government agency asking for sensitive information, don’t share anything. Call the company directly to confirm.
- Stay Informed
Privacy threats are always changing, and staying updated on the latest security risks can help you adapt. Organizations like Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and Privacy International provide updates on digital privacy issues. Before signing up for a new service, glance at its privacy policy to see how your data is used. If a company collects too much information, consider alternatives.
The more people know about digital privacy, the harder it becomes for corporations and hackers to exploit personal information. Share what you learn with family and friends.
Staying private in a world full of surveillance is challenging, but by taking these steps, you can keep your personal information safer and more secure.
