Do you want to maintain your privacy on the Internet and protect your personal data? Then you've come to the right place! Being able to decide for ourselves what others know about us gives us a secure feeling of control and independence.
But security and autonomy are over if sensitive data falls into the wrong hands. In times of digitalization, with phishing attacks and data or complete identity theft, I can speak from my own experience. I myself was the victim of a hacker attack that caused considerable financial and emotional damage.
This drastic experience and the devastating consequences have opened my eyes to how important it is to take proactive measures to protect your own data online.
In this article, I therefore share motivating reasons and the best tips that you should take to heart if your online privacy is sacred to you. The list is the result of both personal experience and general advice from IT security experts. Let's go!
Advantages: Why should I protect my personal data on the Internet?
Many people don't take their privacy online all that seriously - but as a rule, they also have no idea how brutal the consequences of this behavior can feel when it happens.
Before we get straight to the specific tips, I would therefore like to take this opportunity to the main reasons why it is so important to carefully protect personal information online:
- Maintain privacy (e.g. place of residence or contact details)
- Protect against identity theft (see also Avoid identity theft)
- Prevent heavy financial losses
- Protecting physical and mental health
- Protect your own reputation (e.g. in a private or professional environment)
- Maintaining control over personal information
- Feel safe when using the internet
15 tips: What can I do to protect my privacy online?
Now you know why privacy protection is so important. Motivated enough? Then we can move on to the next step concrete practical tips to protect yourself online and give hackers no chance.
1. use strong, unique passwords and nicknames
Only open an account on websites and apps that you can really trust - and if that's the case, then use a Unique password with uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special charactersthat you have not yet used anywhere else. Refrain from using a common word.
Your username should also not be too simple and certainly not No conclusions about personal information (e.g. your address, your name or your date of birth). This will make it more difficult for unauthorized persons to gain access.
2. always activate two-factor authentication
For more privacy on the Internet, you should always set up two-factor authentication. You with two different devices having to log into an Internet account creates an additional layer of security that potential attackers first have to crack. For example, you are protected even if your password has been compromised.
3. question your behavior online
In times of digitalization, including online shopping, social media and artificial intelligence, we humans often carelessly post incredibly personal things on the Internet in. So always question whether it makes sense to enter your data. This is particularly the case with new trends, be it Beauty Tech for editing images, filter apps or even applications designed to show what you might look like in 50 years' time.
So be careful and always be aware of the information you make publicly available. Think about whether there could be a risk to your privacy with every click. And be sure to avoid sharing personal data in forums or on other platforms that are visible to many or even all Internet users.
4. enjoy public WLAN networks with caution
Public Wi-Fi networks are often not secure. With a VPN, you are safer on the move. Nevertheless, you should refrain from sending sensitive data from you via a network that is not yours.
For example, use your online banking first via your personal WLAN network - and only complete transactions that require you to enter your address when you are at home on the secure network.
5. carry out regular software and security updates
Create old versions of operating systems or apps Security gapsthrough which hackers like to slip. Therefore, always make sure that your Software always up to date to make it harder for potential intruders to access your data on your computer or smartphone.
In my opinion, this is one of the most important tips for more privacy and security in the online world.
Tip: Did you know that using the internet is very energy-intensive and harms the environment? Why this is the case - and the best tips for the most sustainable online surfing possible - in the linked blog post.
6. surf with a secure browser in private mode
The browsers you use to surf the Internet are different. The most secure and best browser in terms of privacy is certainly "Gate" - but also "Google Chrome" and "Firefox" you can trust. However, the latter is already used by so many people that hackers might prefer to use it.
In any case, use the Security functions of modern browsersincluding the private mode. This means that your cookies are not saved and no footprints are left on the web.
7. share only what is necessary on social media
As useful as they may be, the Unfortunately, social media also harbor great dangers from. So if you really want to be active on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok, then share there only the information from you that (supposedly) cannot cause any damage.
Personal data, such as your Address, your Date of birth or your Vacation plans should not appear here, for example, if you want to be sure.
And if you still want to share something personal, you should at least use the Privacy settings so that only trustworthy people (from your digital circle of friends) have access to your profile.
Important: Harassment and bullying have increased in the online world. What you can do against hate online I will be happy to explain to you again in the linked blog post.
8. use a different e-mail address for sensitive accounts
In the course of your life, you will send thousands of e-mails with your e-mail address and enter it into hundreds of different registration forms on the Internet. The Probability of it falling into the wrong handsis therefore constantly increasing.
That's why you should use a separate login for sensitive logins, such as access to online financial services. Create an e-mail address that you would otherwise never use on the Internet.
How to minimize the probabilitythat hackers gain access to your accounts if they make it into your main email account - and protects your privacy online.
9. develop a feel for phishing attacks and suspicious emails
Of course, you should always be skeptical of emails in your inbox that ask you to enter personal data. Activate the spam filter, don't open emails from unknown senders, don't let yourself be pressured and ideally don't reply at all if you are unsure.
Fortunately, there are Some features by which you can recognize suspicious emails and prevent serious consequences. Here are a few examples:
- Strange sender address (pay attention to which website is behind the "@")
- Missing personal salutation
- Many spelling mistakes or strange writing style
- Immediate request to enter personal data (e.g. access data)
Important: However, always be aware that fraudsters on the internet are also constantly developing and improving their scams. If in doubt, you should contact the supposed sender (e.g. your bank) personally by phone using the public telephone number and play it safe.
10. use a VPN service
Even if you are aware of the dangers online, it is still possible to cannot always be completely avoidedentrusting third parties with your own data on the Internet.
For exactly such cases, you should install a so-called VPN (Virtual Private Network), with which you can establish a protected and encrypted connection between yourself and the websites you are visiting via the unprotected Internet. Your Network connection and your IP address are then private and cannot be viewed by unauthorized persons. VPN services often even have integrated threat protection that warns you in the event of an incident.
11. regularly check your privacy settings
It is important to have control over who has what data about you. You can't always be sure about this. That's why you should always check the privacy settings of your Online accounts and apps and, if necessary, adjust them so that they meet your personal requirements.
12. install antivirus software
You can never be too careful on the internet - but Even a little inattention can cause problems. For more online security, you should also install strong antivirus software on your laptop or computer.
You fends off malware and virusesthat aim to steal your personal data. An important basis for your privacy on the Internet!
13. encrypt sensitive data that you send online
Attachments sent can be intercepted - and if hackers have access to your email account, they can even View all the files you have sent.
Therefore, use encryption tools to protect sensitive information such as financial data or personal documents. Most mail services allow you to encrypt all outgoing messages. to be encrypted by default.
14. delete your "surfing traces" regularly
Tracking cookies can pose a risk to your privacy. So regularly delete your browser's cache and cookies. With this simple measure for more privacy on the internet, you can prevent third parties from tracking your online activities.
Additional Tip: Google your name! If you find data about yourself that you don't want to see on the internet, ask the website in question to delete it immediately.
15 Spend more time offline than online
The less time you spend online, the lower the riskthat your personal data ends up with the wrong people. Sounds logical, doesn't it?
So just try to find your Reduce screen time and more Time in the real world to spend your free time. For example, read a book, go jogging regularly or start to Design garden sustainably. This also protects your online privacy.
Important: If you find it difficult to leave your smartphone lying around or your laptop switched off, then it's high time you had a Doing a digital detox and a possible "Combating "FOMO. I will be happy to explain how this works in the linked blog posts.
Appreciate and protect privacy on the Internet!
From using strong passwords and usernames, to regular updates and reduced internet usage, you now have learned lots of useful tips for protecting your data online.
Take the dangers seriously and implement the advice immediatelyso that you don't end up joining the list of cyberattack victims like me.
Your privacy is important to you in the real world. If you are confronted by a shady person, be careful what you tell them. Of course, scammers and criminals are even more difficult to spot online. In the virtual world you should therefore play it safe.
"Without safety, there is no freedom."
Wilhelm von Humboldt (more at Security quotes)
I hope this article helps you to better secure your data online. Do you have any questions, suggestions, further tips or your own experiences with cybercrime that you would like to share? Then please write me a comment.
Stay safe, careful and always alert online,
PS: Screen time cannot be drastically restricted in all cases. Some people are tied to the computer for work, for example. In such cases, how you can Easy on the eyes at the screen I will be happy to explain how you can do this in the linked blog article.
