Most of us use the internet daily without any problems. We log on, take care of business, fight temptation for a moment, make an impulse purchase or other financial transaction, log off, and that’s the end, right? Do you worry about how to keep your information private on the internet?
You should, because your information is at risk, whether online or offline. Personal information breaches seem to happen all the time. June has been designated Internet Safety Month, but these internet safety tips should keep your information secure anytime.
Think About the Children When Planning How To Keep Your Information Private
Kids are online now more than ever, due to distance learning, gaming, and heavy social media use. Unfortunately, where kids go, internet predators follow. It’s estimated that 1 in 5 children online will be sexually solicited. (1)
Luckily, there are a few things you can do about it.
The first—and most obvious—of the strategies when it comes to how to keep your information private on the internet is to set parental controls on any device your child may use, whether a computer or a smartphone, so that nothing is done without your approval. That means no changing passwords, downloading apps…, or anything else.
Also, ensure your child knows not to post personal information—photos, phone numbers, emails, addresses—online. If any of it gets out, it’s out there for good.
Talk to your children and make sure they understand internet safety precautions. Don’t let them browse online alone. If possible, be in their presence when they use the family computer or their smartphone and keep a keen eye on what they’re doing. If you’re not available, you can also check their online browsing history.
Hold On, You’re Not Safe Either
You, too, need a reminder about how to keep your information private on the internet. Although you may not be facing the same online threats, you’re not exactly walking down the sunny side of the super highway. There are other predators out there, and one may have targeted you.
One of the first things you should do is go to your email profile and click on ‘My Account.’ This will take you to a screen with several options, one of which is ‘Security.’ Click that, and you’ll be directed to a page that outlines your login history.
All that may not sound important until you check how many failed — or possibly successful — attempts to log into your account from an unfamiliar device. Sometimes, you’ll see an attempted automatic sync. A good idea would be to change your password. Your unwanted visitors may be getting close to cracking it, so there’s no point making it any easier for them.
Never use the same password for multiple sites. That is one of the biggest concerns when deciding how to keep your information private on the Internet.
Update Now? Remind Me Later
No. Update now. There are always new software updates, and often, they have security updates. Security updates exist because your software provider discovered a weakness that lets the bad guys in. So, update … close that door…or window.
Ensure the software you’re running is the most recent version, and always update your antivirus and malware protections. Also, be careful if you’re downloading a movie or music, and think twice before you click on that pop-up ad. Any of them could let malware in, giving a hacker access to your personal information. Yes, keep these tips in mind and practice how to keep your information private on the internet because it should always be a priority.
But Wait, There’s More to Keeping Your Information Private
Here are more tips for how to keep your information private:
1) Keep your privacy settings on
Advertisers love to know all about you, but so do hackers. Sometimes, these settings aren’t easy to find, but try to keep them enabled. Also, make sure your firewall is activated.
2) Don’t put in your personal information on strange sites
A tip to always keep at your fingertips in regards to how to keep your information private on the internet is to avoid entering your information on strange sites.
Those Facebook quizzes to find out which Golden Girl you’d be are fun, but they’re not always harmless. Many of them are data-mining you. And it’s Blanche. The Golden Girl you’d be is always Blanche.
3) Mask your identity when in public
If you’re using public Wi-Fi, make sure you have a secure VPN connection, and even then, refrain from doing any financial transactions until you’re on your home computer. You could be sharing your bank or credit card information with people who will gladly exploit it. (2)
When you’re doing online banking, log out of your account, and don’t just close the window.
4) Stay alert
Another answer to your question of how to keep your information private is to ensure that sites are safe before making online purchases. There are a few ways to do this. Popular web browsers alert you to the potential danger and ask if you want to continue. You probably don’t. Be alert to spoofed websites. They look like the site you want, but there can be slight differences.
Don’t just click a link, especially if you receive one in your email. Hover your mouse over it and see how long the URL is. If it’s overly long, it’s probably spam or worse. (3) When possible, just type the URL into your browser. Ensure the site is HTTPS, not HTTP, or has a padlock in the address bar. This icon means it’s a safe site.
Also, when making an online purchase, use your credit card instead of your debit or bank information. Although it sounds counterintuitive to put more debt on a card — especially one with interest — it’s safer. If there’s a problem, the credit card company is there to handle it. If your bank account is hacked, you could lose money and not be aware of it for several days. But if you use your bank information for online purchases, having a separate account with enough money to handle purchases wouldn’t be a bad idea, but not your whole life’s savings.
5) Delete your personal information from public sites
Data brokers match your leaked personal details against your public records and use your information for their unscrupulous businesses. So, check public sites for your name. There are probably several results, and you may need to invest in software to scan for — and wipe — your information.
Remember, everyone should aspire to keep their information private on the internet. So, be stern when it comes to how to keep your information private on the internet. Don’t leave anything to chance.
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Trust that we will handle your information responsibly and ethically. We employ bank-level safety protocols for maximum data safety because we understand how important it is to keep your information private on the internet.
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Kevin brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, with a specialized expertise in growing online businesses. As the Director of Marketing at a leading FINtech company, he employs innovative strategies to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement. Kevin’s passion lies at the intersection of technology and finance, where he pioneers solutions that not only meet but exceed consumer expectations. His commitment to leveraging his expertise ensures impactful results and the building of lasting relationships in the digital landscape.
