How to Ensure Your Online Privacy in 2021

Technology has made our lives much more convenient in so many ways, but it has also made it so that your privacy isn’t always protected. If you don’t use the right tools to protect your privacy, your personal data can be shared in places you don’t approve of and you can be vulnerable to hackers and cyberattacks that can ruin your life. To make sure your data is secure and your privacy is protected, follow the tips below.

Private Messaging Features to Look For

Private messaging apps are a great way to stay in touch with friends, family, and co-workers around the world. However, they can also take your personal data and private information and share it in places you may not approve of. To keep yourself protected, look for apps that offer end-to-end encryption and multi-platform support.

End-to-end encryption ensures that the contents of your conversations can never be shared with anyone other than yourself and the recipient. They won’t be stored on a server, either. Multi-platform support is a good privacy feature for those of you who send messages on multiple devices. You can use it to store your conversations on one device and delete them from others.

Use a Privacy-Focused Browser

If you spend a lot of time browsing the web and sending messages from a PC or laptop, use a privacy-focused browser to protect yourself from invasive online tracking. Browsers such as Tor Browser and DuckDuckGo are popular options that are designed to keep your identity and all of your information encrypted. They also block tracking cookies so that third parties aren’t able to collect personal data from you without your knowledge.

Use Browser Plug-Ins to Block Trackers and Cookies

If you’re not ready to abandon your favorite Chrome browser for a privacy-focused one, you can enable plug-ins from privacy-focused browsers to block trackers and cookies from sites that want to collect your personal data.

Connect to a Virtual Private Network

One of the safest and most secure ways to keep your privacy protected online is to use a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. The way a VPN works is that it connects you to a VPN server, which changes your IP address and serves as a secure tunnel between the internet and your device. All information that passes through the tunnel is encrypted, keeping you and your data safe from everyone, from your ISP to hackers, and even the government.

Equip Your Devices with Privacy Accessories

Once you’ve chosen a privacy-focused browser or plug-ins, a safe messaging app, and a VPN, you can protect your online privacy further by equipping your devices with privacy accessories or using the built-in ones. Always make sure your webcams are covered and mics turned off when not in use. You can also use screen guards that make it impossible for prying eyes to see what’s on the screen unless they’re looking at it head-on.

Following even one of the tips above will get you one step closer to protecting your online privacy. Follow them all and rest assured that your safety and privacy are totally secure.