More and more of our personal data is being stored and shared online and as such, digital privacy has never been so important. There are several things you can do to make sure you are being safe online and your privacy is not being breached.
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The following article will detail some of the best methods to keep you safe online in 2021.
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Safe Passwords
A safe and secure password is a great starting point. Its best to use different passwords for every online account you have to stop one data breach from affecting you across multiple accounts.
These days, many passwords are required to have a certain length, a mix of capitals and lowercase, and a variety of different characters. Avoid using your own name or the names of people close you and try not to use lucky numbers or dates of birth. If the details of your password can be guessed, then it isn’t particularly strong.
Changing your password regularly is another good way to keep your information safe. Adding two-factor authentication to this process will add another layer of security and help prevent hackers from accessing your online data.
Consider using a password manager to manage multiple passwords across many different online accounts.
Virtual Privacy Network (VPN)
VPN providers have been becoming more popular in recent years. Companies like NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer high quality services at affordable prices.
Setting up a VPN is easy and straightforward and can keep you safe online. VPNs encrypt your data making it very difficult for hackers to access it. They also stop your internet service provider from monitoring your browsing activity and can allow you to access geo-restricted content.
Social Media Privacy Settings
It seems like everyone is on social media these days which can make it potentially dangerous for your privacy. Social media platforms have access to a lot of personal information but it is up to you what they can access and what they can do with it.
Make sure to check your privacy settings and be aware of exactly what information social media platforms have access to.
Online Payments
Paying for things online has become commonplace, particularly during the pandemic when online shopping has taken off more than ever. You can pay for things using debit and credit cards as well as e-wallets and cryptocurrency.
When making online purchases it’s important to make sure that both the payment method and the payment receiver are trustworthy. In terms of payment methods, use trusted big names like PayPal or VISA and double check that these are legit and not fake websites trying to con you. You may receive an email from a so-called payment provider but be careful before giving away person details to ‘unlock’ your account.
The next thing you ought to do is to check the credibility of the website you are making a payment towards. The payment methods used in casinos may be safe but if the platform is unsafe, your details and money may also be. Check that these websites are trusted by looking at user reviews and keeping an eye out for verification from reputable sources.
Keep Your Devices Up to Date
Software updates are common but putting them off could put you at risk. It’s important to keep your software up to date in order to keep it as secure as possible. If you allow your software to become dated, hackers are more likely to find a way to access your data.
The quicker you update your software, the more secure your data is likely to be so don’t waste any time and accept these updates when prompted.
If In Doubt, Avoid
This is a good rule of thumb when doing anything online. If you aren’t sure about the legitimacy of something, avoid it.
This can apply to a whole host of things including suspicious emails, unknown links, and questionable websites. Anything that isn’t verified and trustworthy could put you at risk of a data breach. Do not give up your personal details anywhere online unless you are 100% certain that that website is reliable and can be trusted.
If you aren’t sure about something, do your research and see what you can find. If your research indicates that the website is trustworthy, then you’re good to go as long as you feel comfortable. If you find it to be sketchy or find little to no information, your best course oof action is to avoid altogether.