- Cookie 5 8 3 – Protect Your Online Privacy Protection Privacy
- Cookie 5 8 3 – Protect Your Online Privacy Protection Screen
Internet privacy is a major concern today. It has raised certain ethical issues. Advertisers track your web activities and intrude on your privacy. Your online transactions, emails, and social networking profiles are scanned, thus invading your online privacy. There could be valid reasons for this. But is this ethical? The Internet privacy needs of users should be catered to. Various applications provide various levels of cookie protection. Many virus protection programs also provide other Internet protection features including cookie controls. Some applications let you block cookies selectively without erasing the ones you want.
Technology has changed the way that we live our lives. It has also made our lives more convenient. We can shop online, order food, bank, and even be treated by a doctor online. If you want to reach out to an old friend from high school, you can easily find on social media and send them a message. While digital technology has made life much more convenient, it has also opened us up to many new threats that we didn’t have to worry about before the digital age began. There are hackers and scam artists all over the world just waiting to gain access to your bank accounts and other personal information. This is why it is so important that you know how to protect your digital life. Also, using the services of companies like Surfshark will ensure that you are always protected while doing things online. Here are 10 ways that you can protect yourself and your identity.
1. Always Use a VPN
Everything that you do online can be seen by your internet service provider (ISP) because you have an IP address. The best way to protect your privacy while working online is to use a virtual private network (VPN). It basically acts like armor between the device that you are using and the internet. The VPN will route your activity through your own private server, which is not accessible to anyone else.
Years ago, VPN services were available to only those in the commercial sector. Now that digital security threats have increased for the average person, VPN services are available to everyone.
2. Email Encryption
Email encryption has been used by businesses who send and receive sensitive information for quite some time; however, it is now an essential way for everyone to protect their digital lives. An encrypted email will appear scrambled to everyone but the sender and receiver. This is important if you are sending emails that contain personal information or sensitive information like credit card numbers or social security numbers. It can easily be integrated into your existing email address, and the companies that offer encryption make the service affordable.
3. Be Wary of Phishing
Phishing is one of the most common ways that scam artists try to get a hold of your personal information. They often send emails that appear to be from reputable companies, or even from people that you know. They will attach a link or an attachment to the email that contains malware or other viruses. When you click on the link, they can gain access to your personal information. If you get an email, beware of the attachments and the links, even if you think that you know who the email is from.
4. Check For Websites With Privacy Indicators
When you are online, you need to make sure that the site that you are using is secure. If it isn’t, there is a good chance that there is a hacker on the other end just waiting to get their hands on your personal information.
When you are online, there will be a small padlock in front of the website that you are using. If the padlock is closed, it means that the site is secure. If you want to double-check, simply click on the padlock, and the name of the company will come up. It will also let you know if the site is secure.
5. Virus Protection and Anti-Malware
Many hackers use malware to get their hands on your personal information. This software allows them to delete and steal information from your computer. You should never use a computer that does not have anti-virus protection. Most services are affordable, and they are well worth it in the long run. You should also understand that your phone and tablet aren’t safe either. Hackers can easily get into these devices as well; therefore, you should be sure to download an app that offers the same kind of protection.
6. Use Strong Passwords
The password that you use is essential in keeping your identity and privacy safe. Just because a password is easy to remember; it doesn’t mean that it is safe. Simple passwords like abc123 or 12345 are examples of horrible passwords. A strong password contains numbers and a capital letter. This will add an extra layer of security to your online accounts. If you add a special character such as #$%, it will add even more protection.
Also, it is a good idea to change your passwords often. Many websites require you to do so, but if one doesn’t, you should change it on your own. This may sound like obvious information; however, according to Avast Press, 83 percent of Americans are still using weak passwords today.
7. Automate Your Software Updates
When software developers often launch a product before it is perfect. They get as close to perfect as possible for release, and then they fix the glitches later. When issues are resolved, they are fixed through updates. If there are privacy issues or glitches, you need to know when the problems have been solved so you can protect yourself. The best way to be sure that you are getting all the updates is to use the automatic update setting. This is the best way to be sure that you are always protected.
8. Limit the Number Of People Who Have Access To Your Accounts
If you have too many administrators on your device, it increases the chances of human error, making your device more vulnerable. Also, when using a computer, don’t log in as the administrator. This leaves your computer vulnerable. Only log on as the administrator when you absolutely have to.
9. Beware of Public WiFi
Most people find public WiFi to be incredibly convenient. According to One World Identity, 81 percent of Americans use public WiFi either occasionally or on a regular basis. If you are using a computer, you can use the public service. Many people use public WiFi when using their phones to prevent using up their data. Public WiFi may be convenient, but it is very easy for a person to hack into. There are even videos online that teach you to hack into a public WiFi server. If you are going to use public WiFi, don’t do so without a VPN. This will protect you from amateur hackers looking to steal your personal information.
10. Turn Off Your Location
It is a good idea to turn off your location when using your digital device. Also, if you are on a website and a box pops up after if you want to share your location, you should always click, “no.” If your location is on or shared, just about anyone can find you, including hackers.
As digital technology evolves, so does a hacker’s ability. If you are going to keep your private information private, you should follow the tips listed above. The last thing you want is for a hacker to steal your social security number or gain access to your accounts.
Online reputation management is as an orchestrated effort to improve an individual, family, or group's digital reputation while eliminating or limiting harmful online experiences.
To protect your or your family's online reputation, you'll need to create, either by yourself or with the help of an online reputation specialist, unique strategies designed to protect and improve your online reputation.
Anyone with an online digital footprint can benefit: Families, individuals, professionals like doctors, lawyers, and small business owners—basically, anyone who seeks to have a positive presence online, or who seeks to eliminate negative outcomes from persons who could do their reputations serious harm online.
Notably, while 75% of U.S. adults want to check their online reputation, 48% don't like what they find when they do, according to data from Google.
How to Improve Your Online Reputation
Make no mistake, you and your family's online reputation is a big deal. There are myriad individuals, including business associates, neighbors, other family members, and yes, even potential identity thieves searching for you on a regular basis. Luminar flex 1 0 0 5661.
You can take these five steps to ensure your you and your family's online reputation is both well-received and well protected:
1. Secure Private Information
You need to emphasize the importance of keeping family and personal information private. Other family members—especially children—should understand that any personal data that can be used to commit identity theft. Luminar flex 1 1 07.
That list includes Social Security numbers, bank and credit account numbers, email addresses, home address, phone numbers, birth dates, and current locations. Any one of these pieces of data can be used by fraudsters to commit identity theft, or even compiled with other data so a criminal can make a synthetic identity. Winclone pro 6 6 1 4.
Cookie 5 8 3 – Protect Your Online Privacy Protection Privacy
2. Set Firm Privacy Settings
Online privacy settings can help protect a family's data and reputation from individuals seeking to do harm. When establishing privacy settings, eliminate any public sharing of family member data and limit access to online posts.
This is especially true on social media, which is a ripe target for identity thieves and which can be screened by potential employers, colleges, and yes, nosy neighbors and other interested observers. Make sure you also set guidelines for your children's social media usage in order to protect them from cyberbullying and to keep their information out of the hands of identity thieves.
3. Have Everyone Google Themselves
You can't protect your or your family's online reputation or correct any potentially harmful posts or images online unless you know what the public side of the Internet has stored in your name. That's why it's so important to conduct an individual or family Google name search, with everyone who has an online digital footprint included in the search.
Simply log onto Google, type in your name, and follow the links, including posts and images, and build an inventory of every family member's name online. If you detect any potentially troubling posts or images or view any posts or images that reveal sensitive personal data, you'll want to look into online reputation platforms and firms to work on deleting the post or the sensitive information included in the post.
4. Clean up Family Social Media Platforms
Many people use and enjoy social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat—81% of U.S. population has a social media profile, according to Statista. But reputational damage can occur if you or a family member posts something inappropriate on social media; for example, drunken or sexually explicit behavior, or bullying or character assassination against another social media user.
When discussing social media usage online with your family, emphasize the importance of the positive traits and characteristics you want your family members, especially the kids, to demonstrate. The idea is to build a 'family brand' that shows an upbeat and positive online presence, one that will help create a sturdy, friendly, and optimistic family reputation.
5. Register Your Name Online
To gain more control over your own name or your family name, register your name as an online domain if it's available. By doing so, you control your own name online, and not someone else who could do you or your family harm.
Also, register a domain name for any family-run business, as well. The idea is to control your family's good name online, in as many ways possible; registering a family or individual domain can eliminate the threat of someone using your own name, and controlling your family's reputation, against your wishes.
Is It a Good Idea to Hire an Online Reputation Management Specialist?
While there are good, 'do-it-yourself' ways to protect your online reputation, hiring a reputation management specialist can be a good option as well. Online reputation management firms can take the burden off you by handling the regular tasks needed to protect your family online, including:
- Regularly monitoring each of your family members activity online, and any attacks or threats against a family member.
- Remove a web link that casts you or another family member in a negative manner.
- Registering an official complaint with an Internet search engine or online webmaster.
Make sure the online reputation management company you're considering is listed with the Better Business Bureau, and ask for testimonials or references before signing on the dotted line. Ask about costs, learn success rates in protecting online reputations, and look into if there have any complaints or lawsuits lodged against the company.
It's Ultimately up to You to Protect Your Family's Online Reputation
Remember, the Internet neither forgets nor forgives. It's up to you take the reins to build and protect your family's online reputation. In an online world where influence can be controlled by anyone, and where reputations can be destroyed in a short period of time, building and protecting a positive online reputation for you and your family can give you what's needed most—a solid reputation in an increasingly digital world.
For more information about on online reputation management and effective ways to build and protect online reputations, check out this white paper.
Cookie 5 8 3 – Protect Your Online Privacy Protection Screen
You can also sign up for a family identity protection plan like Experian IdentityWorks which offers identity theft monitoring and alerts such as social network monitoring.