
The fear of being tracked on the internet has become something of a modern-day phobia. We all know that online activity can reveal our true selves, and that private data — including passwords, emails and mobile phone numbers — can be taken control of by third parties. But even as technology makes it much easier to keep track of your digital actions, it also makes it more difficult to do so with confidence.
Smartphones have become the preferred means of communication for nearly every person on the planet, and we’re all at risk from hackers who can use their access to our devices to track us anywhere from messaging to banking and social media. Fortunately, there are ways to silence phone gatherers without actually cutting off your connection with the world. If you feel uneasy about keeping your pimiento cheese anonymous online but would prefer not to give up your mobile phone or GPS coordinates, check out these top-notched examples of using a phone generator for privacy.
Regular backups of your data are a must
Backups are always a good idea, whether you keep your regular data in a cloud-based storage service on a physical device such as a thumb drive. The more you have in place, the easier it will be to restore your data if something happens to your computer or phone. If you don’t have a routine for making backups, you may find yourself in need of data recovery when things go wrong. It’s also a good idea to back up your credit card numbers, social security numbers, healthcare information and other sensitive data.
Don’t give out your login or password
If you give out your login or password to every website you visit, that information could one day be used against you. That’s why you should only give out these accounts to trusted friends and family — and revoke them immediately if someone misuses them. While it may be tempting to save your login information on your computer, a password is different. It can be stolen or hacked, but someone can’t just reach into your computer and take your login information. It takes much more effort to guess your password. If someone breaks into your computer, they’ll likely just look for your login information.
Only use secure sites and services
To ensure that your data is secure, you should only use websites and services that you’re comfortable with. Privacy and security are top of mind for tech-savvy individuals these days, so you’re likely safe using services without incident. But if you want to be extra careful, choose sites and services that use HTTPS (HTTP Secure). That’s a standard that your internet browser uses to encrypt your data. What you should absolutely avoid, though, is giving your sensitive data to strangers.