By now we are more or less aware that websites we use analyze our personal information. Some of them sell it to advertising companies, some only use it to create a better and personalized user experience, but we can never be fully certain. All we know is that hacking and phishing attempts are happening all around us and that we are generally concerned about our personal information.
This is why protecting our personal data is so important, now more than ever. The world is likely to change, and life after pandemic is going to be different, as we will spend more time at our computers. People won’t travel as much and will likely work from their home office, meaning our data is even more exposed to potential theft. To that end, we will go over the best ways to protect your digital privacy in 2021.
Given how this problem is prevalent a lot of companies have worked on tools that can help you keep your data safe. These tools are:
- Anti-virus software
- VPN (Virtual Private Network)
- Password manager tools
- Authenticators
- Different internet browsers
A lot of the following tips will rely on you to use these tools in order to either mask or protect your online presence. Using browsers like Chrome and Mozzila is usually convenient, but newer browsers with fewer users tend to be safer, so just have that in mind.
Being Safe While Shopping Online
We live in an on-demand culture and as a result, we do a lot of shopping online. We purchase clothes, tech items, and even food, and there are lots of sites out there that we get to try. Since we are sharing sensitive information it’s important to be cautious. First, see if the site is using HTTPS protocol and do also do an online search to check if the site you are using is legitimate. A good way to protect your personal data while shopping online is to have an antivirus and ensure it’s always active. Finally, don’t be lazy and use the same password constantly, create a strong password and write it down somewhere.
Your job is not done yet, as you will have to be constantly on the lookout when shopping online. Whenever you purchase something immediately check your balance, and see if the correct amount is debited.
Protection of Personal Data in Online Casinos
Online gambling is quite a popular form of entertainment nowadays, and lots of people play casino games, or just regular multi-player games while connected to the internet. Once again to prevent uncomfortable situations you should stick to trusted platforms. You can look up the best payout online casino in Canada and find out which casinos have the best RTP, payment methods, and bonuses. Once again you will use the same safety measures as for online shopping but add a few others on top.
For starters, you might want to install a VPN as it is one of the most popular ways of cloaking your IP address. The problem with this is that some platforms do have the ability to notice if you are using a VPN and deny you access, but in most cases, it will work. Let’s assume you have picked 888 casino as they are a trusted provider who has been around for a long time and created an account. Whenever you play you should do so from a private session so that your information is not stored in browser history. Also, create a specific e-wallet that is compatible with 888’s website and use that to fund the account.
Protect Your Data While You Are Inactive
Now even with all of these practices in check, you are still vulnerable, as it can be easy for someone to access your accounts if they gain access to your email. This is why your email needs to have that extra layer of protection or two-step authentication.
Basically, whenever there is a login attempt you get a notification on your phone and need to approve the device someone else is using. Meaning someone would need to hack both your phone and email in order to get access to all of your other accounts. You should also use this for your payments, thereby denying access to anyone who tries to pay something online using your credit card information.
Conclusion
To conclude, you need to make sure your PC is always equipped to deal with potential malware. To do this you need regular system updates and scans. You can also cover your camera if you are not using it, in case someone is remotely trying to turn it on. And just to be extra sure, remember to check your privacy settings on social media, if you are using those websites.