How to Protect Your Online Data

Data Protection, Edward Snowden

The Internet has been revolutionary in the daily routine of the vast majority of people. However, everything comes with a price and therefore online data protection has been in jeopardy ever since. Along with the superb potential that every Internet user is capable of enjoying through the use of the web, there are dangers lurking in the dark and threatening to deteriorate web surfing and safety on the Internet.

If you imagine the immense “world wide web” that has been weaved so far and continues expanding as we speak, you will come to realize how many risks we confront on a daily basis. The ongoing revelations of the legendary Edward Snowden have been eloquent proof of such uncertainty and vulnerability in the overall online security system and they should alarm you, to say the least!

The NSA whistleblower (Edward Snowden) has made it really clear that the web holds a lot of grave dangers for you to beware of! This is why it is imperative to have a closer look at some of the fundamental issues that need to be taken into consideration, in order to optimize your performance online and get the desired results, without losing any of your nap!

E-mail Protection

One of the main tips to protect online data certainly has to do with the protection of your e-mail. Using free e-mail services can be fishy and this is why you should take everything with a grain of salt. You should be ready to double check all your mail and prefer services like Google that allow two-step verification. Spam filters and powerful security alongside with e-mail encryption can be a life saver and preserve your privacy, as well as the safety of your device.

Aiming at how to protect online data, you can use multiple e-mail accounts, including one for all your online transactions. If you are sent an e-mail that appears suspicious (for instance, you do not know the sender), it is imperative that you do not take any risk. Instead, delete the e-mail and take a deep breath! Last but not least, when you sign up for an e-mail service, do not use any easy passwords. Be considerate and make use of complex passwords that are hard (impossible would be even better!) to guess.

Browser Protection

This is an important chapter, in our aim to know how to protect online data. Browser security plays a crucial role to the overall safety of your web surfing, and thus, you ought to start using tools that keep your click-stream private. This is going to help you out right from the start, since you will in no way be exposed to the threats online. What is more, you must download the latest versions of your browser and make sure that you follow the guidelines against malware. Sandboxing can help you remarkably, in order to eliminate the possibility of being compromised due to online threats.

Wi-Fi Connection

In online data protection, it is a rule of thumb that wi-fi connections can harm your devices, even more substantially than you would like to admit. There are people (we call them hackers, right?) who can gain access to your device, simply due to your use of unprotected wi-fi connection. So, you should take all the necessary precautions to keep these risks to a minimum.

If you are concerned as to how to protect your data online, you should keep your Bluetooth and wi-fi turned off by default; only proceed with using such services, if there is absolute need for you to do so. When you access a website, it is really important to choose HTTPS. This indicates that there is strong security for you to take advantage of. Finally, be sure to have the proper line of defense in the form of anti-virus software on your device and learn the ropes of enabling a VPN.

Online Sharing

It is appealing to know that you can learn everything on the web, through the use of online search engines and social media. Still, how would you feel about the fact that the same thing can happen to you? It is true that many hackers and other hostile intruders of your computer will do their research on YOU. So, be extremely cautious as to what you share anything with others, additionally to the other tips to protect your online data. Keeping your pet’s name in plain sight and then using it as your e-mail security question is not such a prudent idea, isn’t it?

Opt-out of Third-Party Tracking Cookies

Trying to get rid of all third-party tracking cookies can be proven truly challenging. Nevertheless, in online data protection you should not neglect the importance of being tracking-free! The first thing that you need to do, in order to avoid such cookies that keep bothering you and tracking your online activity, is to change the settings on your browser.

In specific, you should check the option of rejecting all third-party cookies from your browser. This completes your first task and only leaves room for websites you DO visit to track you down, rather than cookies embedded and installed for this purpose. Besides that, you had better install opt-out cookies. They will certainly do the trick for you and keep your web surfing incognito!

Mobile Protection

Next on protecting online data is the use of mobile devices, which has been rising dramatically over the past few years! When you use your smartphone, you should feel free to include some sort of password. So, even in the unfortunate event of theft, you will be pleased to know that unauthorized access is truly difficult to acquire. Apart from that, you should always have the proper anti-virus software installed.

A mobile device is not different, when compared with any other computer device. This means that you ought to be meticulous when downloading apps and when surfing through compromised websites. Another issue under debate is the plethora of GPS apps, which offer information based on your physical location. If you are uncomfortable about this, check these apps off.

Social Networking

You did not expect to leave out social networking from the equation, as far as protecting your online data is concerned, did you? Even though all people pretty much use social media to update their status, share photos and comments, like or dislike something that others have commented on and many other activities, you should be hesitant about them. Social networking can trigger some truly harmful consequences, due to the abundant online sharing options and the lack of privacy on the web.

This means that you can upload a photo on Facebook and after some time find the same photo available on dating sites or anywhere else without any second thought! Always aim for the best possible privacy on Facebook, as well as other social platform. Avoid personal information, if you think that social networking is great for you. Beware of the privacy settings, but always keep in mind that the web is pretty uncontrollable on this matter!

Cloud Services

Nowadays, a lot of people have been using cloud services towards keeping their files stored and sending large documents and other content over the web. However convenient this might be, there is too much risk involved in the whole procedure. You should restrict yourself to sharing files through the use of encryption.

Using these tips to protect online data, you can rest assured that everything you share with your colleagues and everything you store online is safe and secured. Additionally, you should avoid using compromised websites and services that are not reliable. The same goes with the e-mail service providers, where you send and receive important files and documents.

Comply with the tips to that have been outlined above and you will find it refreshing to feel no anxiety or uncertainty whatsoever. Sp when it comes to your online performance, online data protection should be top priority from now on!

Ali Qamar Ali Qamar is a seasoned blogger and loves keeping a keen eye on the future of tech. He is a geek. He is a privacy enthusiast and advocate. He is crazy (and competent) about internet security, digital finance, and technology. Ali is the founder of PrivacySavvy and an aspiring entrepreneur.
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