When Google, Bing, Yahoo, Facebook, Amazon, and other organizations began harvesting and monetizing users’ data, the public outcry resulted in a multitude of internet privacy protection products and services.
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When Google, Bing, Yahoo, Facebook, Amazon, and other organizations began harvesting and monetizing users’ data, the public outcry resulted in a multitude of internet privacy protection products and services.
Protect your computer and smartphone with strong, up-to-date security software. If your computer or phone is infected with malicious software, other safeguards are of little help because you’ve given the criminals the key to all your online actions. Also be sure that any operating system updates are installed.
Learn to spot spam and scams. Though some phishing scams are easy to identify, other phishing attempts in email, IM, on social networking sites, or websites can look very legitimate. The only way to never fall for phishing scam is to never click on a link that has been sent to you. For example, if the email says it’s from your bank and has all the right logos and knows your name, it may be from your bank – or it may not be. Instead of using the link provided, find the website yourself using a search engine. This way you will know you landed on the legitimate site and not some mocked up fake site.
Use strong passwords. Weak passwords are an identity thief’s dream, especially if you use the same password everywhere. Once the thief knows your password, they can log you’re your financial accounts and wreak havoc. You need passwords that are long over 10 characters, strong- use upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols, and that have nothing to do with your personal information
Only use reputable websites when making purchases. If you don’t know the reputation of a company that you want to purchase from, do your homework. How are they reviewed by other users? Do they have a strong rating with the Better Business Bureau? Do they use a secure, encrypted connection for personal and financial information?
While there is no just one straight method to ensure your privacy online; however you should use different passwords for your various accounts; if one of your passwords is breached, they wouldn’t be able to enter every single online platform you’re on. Install a VPN, whether the paid ones or the free ones: There are several VPN’s online that you can use; these vary from paid ones and free ones. There are no significant differences between them, so if you can google it right now and use it at this moment. Many scammers target people with ads online, once you click on these adds, your information gets breached. Thus, no matter what happens, even if the ad says you won a million dollars, don’t click on it. When you enter a website, you can see if they are secured or not, so, if you know a website is not secured, don’t bother using their services because the odds are it is a fraudulent website
Do not click on every email you see— Many scammers use emails to steal someone’s identity. Hence, know where the email came from and don’t click on every single email you see. It might be a hacker behind the computer on the other side. Set up two-factor authentication if you can:
If you have the option to set up two-factor authentication, or even more, it is absolutely advisable to do so. This way, if someone can breach one of your passwords or security measures, they won’t be able to continue doing so.