Why Online Privacy Matters More Than Ever
Your personal data is valuable. Companies use it to sell you products, advertisers use it to target you with messages, and unfortunately, scammers use it to steal identities and money. The more information about you that’s floating around the internet, the more opportunities there are for things to go wrong.
Beyond the financial risks, there’s also the comfort factor. Do you really want every website you visit tracked? Do you want advertisers knowing your health concerns, your political views, or your relationship problems? Privacy isn’t about having something to hide—it’s about having control over who knows your business.
Taking steps to protect your privacy isn’t paranoia. It’s just good sense in a world where your data is constantly being harvested.
Start With Strong, Unique Passwords
This sounds basic, but it’s the foundation of everything else. If your passwords are weak or reused across multiple accounts, a single breach can give hackers access to everything.
Create strong passwords that are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using personal information like birthdays, names, or words that appear in dictionaries. The best passwords are random strings of characters that you’d never guess.
The problem with strong passwords is they’re hard to remember—which is where password managers come in. These tools generate random passwords for each of your accounts and store them securely. You only need to remember one master password. Most password managers are free to use for basic needs, and they work across your computer and phone.
Make sure your email password is especially strong, since your email is the key to resetting passwords for all your other accounts.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication Everywhere
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security. Even if someone steals your password, they still can’t get into your account without a second form of verification.
The most common form is a code sent to your phone via text message. However, text-based 2FA has some weaknesses—SIM swapping attacks can intercept those codes. A better option is an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy, which generates codes on your phone that expire after a few seconds.
Even more secure are hardware keys like YubiKey, which plug into your computer and verify your identity physically. These are getting more affordable and are a great option if you want maximum protection.
Enable 2FA on your email, banking accounts, social media, and any other important services. Yes, it’s slightly less convenient—but having your identity stolen is far more inconvenient.
Review Your Social Media Privacy Settings
Social media platforms make money by collecting and sharing your data. Every post, like, and click tells them more about you. But you can limit how much they share.
Go through the privacy settings on each platform you use. Check who can see your posts, who can tag you, and what information is visible on your profile. Consider making your accounts private so only people you approve can see what you share.
Be careful about what you post in the first place. Things like your home address, phone number, birthday, or vacation plans can be used against you. Wait until after you’ve returned from a trip to post those vacation photos—posting while you’re away can signal to criminals that your home is empty.
Also, check what apps have access to your social media accounts. Remove any that you no longer use or don’t recognize.
Use a Privacy-Focused Browser and Search Engine
The browser you use and the search engine you default to can expose a lot about you. Google tracks virtually everything you do online to build advertising profiles. Consider switching to browsers that prioritize privacy, like Firefox, Brave, or DuckDuckGo.
These browsers block many trackers by default and don’t store your search history. You can also install extensions like uBlock Origin to block ads and trackers on any website you visit.
If you’re really serious, you can use the Tor browser, which routes your traffic through multiple servers to make it extremely difficult to trace. This is overkill for most people, but it’s there if you need it.
Be Careful With Email
Email is one of the least secure forms of communication, but it’s also essential. Here’s how to be smarter about it:
First, use a privacy-respecting email provider. Services like ProtonMail offer end-to-end encryption, meaning even the email provider can’t read your messages. If you’re not ready to switch, at least avoid using your main email for sketchy websites or newsletters.
Be wary of phishing attempts—emails that try to trick you into giving up personal information. Check the sender’s address carefully, don’t click links in suspicious emails, and never send passwords or financial information via email.
Consider using a separate email address for online shopping and sign-ups. This keeps your primary inbox cleaner and limits how much companies can track your shopping habits.
Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi
When you connect to public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, library, or hotel, you’re sharing a network with strangers. Without a VPN (virtual private network), someone on the same network could potentially intercept your traffic and see what you’re doing online.
A VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a private server, making it much harder for anyone to spy on you. Look for a VPN provider that doesn’t log your activity—some free VPNs actually make privacy worse by selling your data.
Not all VPNs are created equal. Do some research before choosing one, and be willing to pay for a reputable service. The cheapest option is rarely the best when it comes to privacy.
Opt Out of Data Collection When You Can
Many websites and services give you the option to limit data collection. It just takes a bit of effort to find and change these settings.
When you sign up for something, look for checkboxes that are pre-checked for marketing communications or data sharing. Uncheck them. Go into your account settings and see what privacy options are available.
In the US, you can opt out of some data broker sites. These are companies that collect and sell your personal information. Sites like DeleteMe can help you remove yourself from these databases, though they typically charge a fee.
California residents have additional rights under CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act), including the right to ask companies to delete your data. Use these rights when you can.
Keep Your Software Updated
Software updates aren’t just about new features—they often include security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. Hackers actively look for out-of-date software to exploit, so keeping everything updated is one of the easiest ways to stay safer.
Enable automatic updates on your computer, phone, and any smart devices you use. This includes your web browser, operating system, and any apps you have installed.
Don’t forget about your router, either. Router manufacturers occasionally release security updates. Check your router settings periodically to make sure you’re running the latest firmware.
Be Smart About Phone Apps
Apps on your phone can collect a shocking amount of data. Before you download an app, check what permissions it requests. Does a flashlight app really need access to your contacts? Does a simple game need to know your location?
Only grant permissions that make sense for the app’s function. You can usually find and change these settings in your phone’s privacy or app settings.
Also, be careful about free apps. If an app is free with no obvious way for the company to make money, they’re likely making money by selling your data. This isn’t always bad, but it’s worth knowing.
Monitor Your Accounts and Credit
Even with all these precautions, sometimes breaches happen. That’s why it helps to keep an eye on your accounts regularly.
Check your bank and credit card statements frequently for any charges you don’t recognize. Set up alerts so you’re notified of suspicious activity.
Consider freezing your credit at the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This prevents new accounts from being opened in your name without your permission. It’s free and can be done online in minutes.
Services like HaveIBeenPwned can tell you if your email has been part of a known data breach. If it has, change your password immediately.
Final Thoughts
Protecting your online privacy isn’t about achieving perfect security—it’s about making yourself a harder target. Every step you take makes it more difficult for companies to track you and for criminals to steal your information.
You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with the basics: strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and better social media habits. Add more habits over time as they become second nature.
The internet isn’t going to get less invasive any time soon. But by being intentional about what you share and how you protect yourself, you can maintain much more control over your personal information than you might think.
Your privacy is worth the effort. Start today.