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The internet is a part of almost every aspect of our lives. Every day, one will likely use at least one online platform, be it for casual surfing or communicating.
The issue of digital privacy is important whenever you connect to the digital world. Image credit: Christin Hume via Unsplash, free license
But before logging on to your favorite channel, do you understand what online privacy means? Like many other people, you will likely experience difficulties answering this question. Your online privacy is worthy of protection at all costs. If you worry about someone else having access to your private data, finding out what online privacy entails and how you can benefit from it is crucial.
What Is Online Privacy?
Wikipedia defines online or internet privacy as the right or mandate of personal confidentiality on the following matters surrounding information:
- Storage
- Re-purpose
- Provision to third parties
- Display via online platforms
Privacy is all about connecting online without worrying about another person watching you or accessing your private information without your consent. Here are some reasons why you should be cautious about your online privacy.
Protection Against Identity Theft
Being cautious about your online privacy will likely protect you from identity theft. Everything you do online leaves a mark, and the chances of discovering who is secretly watching you are minimal. Internet privacy, in this case, means protecting your browsing history, usernames, private messages, purchases, and passwords, from spying eyes. Third parties accessing such information can harm you. The stolen data may lead to financial loss or potential damage to your credit scores.
A Way to Keep Online Bullies Away
Cyberbullying may occur in the form of harsh and rude comments on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook. The treatment may worsen if the bully manages to grab hold of personal information shared on social media platforms, etc. What if a nasty party knows your address or home phone number? The harassment will then move offline, resulting in additional emotional distress and potential mental health issues.
Online privacy can protect you and your family from internet bullies. Security.org, in its cyberbullying research, found that at least 21% of children aged between 10 and 18 have been victims of cyberbullying. Besides, as of January 2020, at least 44% of all American internet users have fallen victim to cyber bullies. With such stats, safeguarding your online presence is more relevant than before!
A Shield Against Other Security Vulnerabilities
You may worry yourself with news about cyberattacks. However, security vulnerabilities can occur in different forms. Online habits, device mechanisms, and security vulnerabilities all contribute to privacy issues that arise on the internet. Data breaches leak personal information, while security issues can cause systems to malfunction. These affect not only your privacy but millions of users, leading to decreased trust in systems for everyone. But with effective only privacy protection mechanisms, you have an additional layer of security against such vulnerabilities.
A Firewall Against Government Surveillance
Everyone has heard about cases where the government spies on its citizens. Whether for security or other reasons, it is not right for anyone to invade your privacy. However, we leave much of our private information online, making it easy for the relevant authorities to access it.
Online privacy, whether you enforce it with VPNs or proxy services, is crucial in this regard. Just because you don’t have anything to hide doesn’t mean you should advertise your private details to the world. If you struggle with finding the right proxy provider just surf through the internet and you will find many sites which does a review about almost every provider.
A Gatekeeper to Keep Online Scammers at Bay
Scammers lie in every corner of the web. They are brilliant at what they do and continuously develop new techniques for conning their victims. Malicious parties are adept at masking their identities, making it harder for individuals to suspect anything is wrong.
Despite reading news daily about scams, you are still susceptible to such con games. However, if you uphold online privacy, the chances of falling victim are much lower. Learn to identify phishing emails and websites so that you don’t accidentally release private information or perform transactions you shouldn’t.
Protection Against Prying Eyes on Public Wi-Fi Networks
Public Wi-Fi is a popular area where hackers target victims to acquire private information. Many of us tend to hop onto a free connection at the café, airport, or shopping mall. However, this seemingly innocent network could be a trap set by a hacker to steal banking information or passwords.
Always be wary of your actions. Refrain from performing any online payments or logging into highly sensitive websites when you’re on public Wi-Fi. If you must, make sure you encrypt your traffic with a VPN.
Closing Remarks
Online privacy is a critical aspect of modern-day life that one cannot ignore. Considering the ever-increasing amount of personal information shared online, it is crucial to be ever cautious.
So, how do you ensure you don’t become a victim? Don’t overshare your details on any channel, regardless of how safe you think it is. It doesn’t hurt to employ the use of a proxy server or VPN to mask your traffic. Lastly, always keep your guard up!
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