How To Keep Personal Information Private Online?

Have you ever felt uneasy when there’s that anonymous person who  keeps viewing your stories on Instagram or Facebook? Or have you wondered why do you keep getting friend requests from people you don’t personally know? 

Our personal information is valuable and should be protected from random strangers lurking on our social media and collecting our data, which makes ourselves easy targets for hackers. Whether you’re on social media or just browsing, this guide will help you stay safe and keep your data secure. You will learn how to recognise phishing scams, avoid oversharing personal information on social media, and use secure connections when browsing.

Practice Security Hygiene

Step 1. Use Strong Passwords.

How many characters is your password? If it’s based on your pet’s name or your birth date, then you might be at risk! Hackers love weak passwords, and they use various tactics to steal them. Use strong passwords or passphrases for your accounts. This way, if one account is compromised, your others will remain secure. Avoid using easy-to-guess passwords like 1234 or common words; bring special characters into it. A password with 12 characters, combined with at least one uppercase letter, number, and a special character, would take longer to crack.

You can learn more about how long it would take a computer to hack your password here.

Step 2. Enable Multi Factor Authentication.

Ensure that you have two-factor authentication enabled for your important accounts, it could be as easy as putting your mobile number so that you will receive a text with a code before you can log in. This will make it hard for hackers to log into your account.

Step 3. Avoid Oversharing On Social Media Platforms.

Share as little as possible everywhere because you do not know how that information will be used. The less information you share online, the less data criminals can collect and use against you. Do not share personal information, such as your home address or phone number, on social media platforms.

Step 4. Regularly Update Software.

How long have you been ignoring that update notification? Regularly updating your software keeps your computer safe and secure. Security updates will help fix flaws that cybercriminals can use in order to access your system and possibly spread malware which leads to your personal information being stolen.

Use Antivirus and Firewall Protection

Step 1. Install Antivirus Software and Enable Firewall Protection.

One wrong click on a malicious link can lead you to disasters, such as installing malware on your computer, which can track and control your computer and steal sensitive information and data. The best defense against these kinds of disasters is to install antivirus software, although modern Windows operating systems come with Windows Security and Mac OS comes with three layers of defense to quickly identify and block malware. 

Step 2. Install More Antivirus Programs.

For additional protection, you may want to use other programs such as Avast, McAfee, Malwarebytes, and Norton. 

Update Social Media Privacy Settings

Step 1. Change Privacy Settings on Social Media Accounts.

Limiting or disabling who can send you friend requests, hiding your friends list, and disabling who can search you by phone number or email address will add layers to your online privacy and security. By doing this, you will avoid unwanted interactions and even protect your friends’ privacy.

Step 2. Consider Making Your Personal Accounts Private.

Most social media platforms allow you to completely lock and make your profile and make it private from strangers which limits their access over your personal information. Making your personal accounts private will make it so that only followers, friends, and family can see your posts, photos, and personal information.

Beware of Phishing

Step 1. Be Careful What Emails You Open.

Phishing emails can be very convincing especially if you are not double checking the contents of the emails you receive, so it is important that you check twice what emails you open and what links you click on. Make sure to take the time to carefully check the sender’s email address for authenticity.

Step 2. Hover Over Links Before Clicking On Them.

Hover over links and it will show you the actual URL of the website in a small pop-up or at the bottom of your browser window and when the URL does not match the website and looks suspicious, do not click on it as it might lead to malware installation. Always take a minute or two that you always take a moment to check the URL before clicking them as this simple step can help you from potential cyber threats.

Step 3. Do Not Enter Personal Information on Unsecured Websites.

Look for the padlock icon and the “https://” in the URL of the website that you are visiting. Be vigilant and if the website seems suspicious, it is best to not provide any personal details to protect yourself from potential fraud or any phishing attempts.

---