5 Ways to Protect Your Data Online

Do you want to protect your information online?

Technology has made it easy to do almost everything online. The internet has been a part of our everyday life, especially with the pandemic.

However, how do you know if the information you give out online stays safe?

This listicle will provide you extra caution to protect your data. Be at ease that you’ll not fall victim to online crimes whenever you log in to your social media accounts.

Don’t know how to be secure online? Here are five ways for internet privacy to follow.

1. Get a Strong Password

A strong password is your first line of defense against hackers. Never use a system default, usual, or lazy passwords such as “password” or “123456.” These passwords are easy to decode and bypass.

It’s also not a good idea to use the name of your dog or even your birthday.

For the best password, think of one you’ll remember with ease but are hard for others to know. Prepare your combination of unique numbers. Putting some thought into your passwords can protect you from malicious software.

You can pick a password management app for password storage, too. It’ll give you unique passwords for online accounts.

You can also write your passwords on an online, secured notepad. Or, use a physical journal in case you forgot them.

If you want to be more careful, change your password every year or within a shorter interval.

2. Be Wary of Giving Out Personal Information

Don’t give access to others about your personal information online. It’s fun to share your interests on your social media accounts. However, even if you feel comfortable sharing them online, giving too much is a big no.

Like your password, you must never share your full name, address, and financial data. Cybercriminals are always there to cause damage.

As much as possible, don’t put your real name unless necessary. It’s better not to put your name if there’s a choice of “Optional” when taking an online survey.

Only use your real name if it’s for work or business. Otherwise, keep your real name to yourself.

Take extra measures to protect your financial data online. Check the website if it starts with “HTTPS://”before purchasing any items online. Check if the “s” is there to ensure its encryption, and don’t buy anything if the website doesn’t have it.

Always think twice before saving your financial information on your favorite websites. Even if websites promise to keep your information safe, there’ll always be a chance of a data breach.

You can consider using dummy credit cards on some online subscriptions. Feel free to use it when accessing Netflix or Spotify. It’s not wrong to use dummy credit cards as long as it’s for a free trial period.

3. Use a Secured VPN

Using a Virtual Private Network or VPN helps you protect your data. VPN lets you conceal your internet traffic, search history, and location.

It establishes a link between the web servers and browsers. Before sending data packets to a destination server, VPN already encrypts them.

One of the benefits of using a VPN is it transposes your current location to an alternate one. It fools your Internet Service Provider as it clears your digital traces when you’re online.

Many VPNs offer a “kill switch.” If a connection drops for online security, VPN also cuts off internet access for a brief moment.

VPN can also make your online journey less of a hassle and hides you from hackers. If you want to learn how to use a VPN, you can check out vpnnz.com.

Try to use safe browsers if you don’t have VPN. Some of these browsers are free to download, which can also protect your internet traffic. Though it can hide your history, your IP address or current location is detectable.

As much as you can avoid it, don’t use public Wi-Fi for your devices. It makes you vulnerable and open to the predatory practices of hackers.

If you need to access your gadgets in a public place, you better use a Wi-Fi hotspot on your mobile device. It’s more secure and has a 4G or 5G connection for better browsing.

4. Take Advantage of Two-Factor Authentication

Use two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security. It doesn’t only verify your identity with a username and password. Two-factor authentication also sends a message to your phone number or email.

This message contains a code you need to log in to your account. In some cases, a security question will pop up, and you need to provide the answer.

Two-factor authentication makes it uneasy to access your accounts. It’ll take you more time to log in, but the extra security’s worth it.

It’s also important to always back up your data to protect yourself from data breaches. It prevents hackers from committing crimes. These crimes include blackmails to get money in exchange for private data.

Updating your devices is also needed. It allows fixing security holes in your gadgets. Make use of security systems and browsers that have automatic updates.

5. Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links and Mails

If you receive emails from strangers, don’t open them right away. A single click can invite viruses and other malware forms into your network system.

If a friend or a family sends you a link, contact them first before clicking it to make sure that it’s safe and legit. You can also try to copy the link and check it using a reputable link checker. Never click the link if you’re uncertain of the content.

Protect Your Data Online Now

Now you know how to protect your data using these five easy steps. Following this guide will secure your network and make you less prone to hackers. Stay vigilant and always think first before clicking anything.

We hope you’re satisfied with this article. If you want to know how to get Netflix using a VPN, check out our other easy guides here.