The internet could be fun and horrible. We just need to answer some questions while surfing the internet. One of those questions is: Do you know much private data and information you give away to unknown persons every day?
There is the supposed choice to users, the data and privacy agreement. Some pretend to read the agreement by scrolling down. While some just click ‘OK’ without even reading. I mean, you are going to agree eventually. Otherwise you are not going to do what you wanted to do.
Here is a fact; the app developers won’t put in bold those things that will scare you from using the app. They won’t clearly explain to you how your actions on the app are going to keep you on their radar.
Bruce Schneier compares walking around with a smartphone to carrying a tracking device 24/7. “If we were told we had to inform the police when we made a new friend, we would never do that,” he says.
“Instead, we inform Facebook.” Or [if we were told to] mail the police a copy of every bit of our correspondence? Just in case? We don’t, but Google stores it for us.
What then should you do?
1. Get a password manager: instead of going through the hassle of creating new password each time for each website you intend using, get a password manager, e.g. Lastpass to do your security for you.
2. Use Long passwords and Two-factor Authentication: when choosing a password for an account, avoid pet names and let each account have different passwords. Two-factor authentication makes a website to send an SMS to you at each log in. Also use encryption tools.
3. Change online behaviour: Post less; avoid creating a pattern and trails. If you can, go off grid for a while.
Heterogeneity is also encouraged as this makes it harder to place you in a particular place.
Keep all things updated: as much as you can, let your OS, software, browser, plugin be in the latest version.
4. Review privacy settings on all social media accounts: go through your social media accounts and review what it says about handling of data. These platforms have tremendous details about you that you have no idea about. Share less of you, limit who sees your details.
5. Do not link your accounts: some websites allow you to register or log in to use their services via your Google account. In as much as this is easy, do not if you can spare it. If one of your accounts is compromised, then others are screwed too.
6. Delete cookies and clear caches: do this as regularly as possible. If it is convenient, clear it before closing your browser. You can protect yourself while browsing by using some websites such as Tor or search engine such as DuckDuckGo.
Conclusion
We should know that none of these websites or organizations really is after protecting your privacy online. No matter the public gestures, they still want you right in their pocket for their monetary gains. So help yourself out there.
No one is completely safe on the internet. But you can still reduce how much they can predict about you.
