Internet, privacy and security go hand in hand. Alternatives are often used, but this is not entirely correct. While privacy and anonymity may be offered for greater protection, they are not the same as security.
Privacy and security: Is it the same thing?
Let's start by defining exactly what privacy is and what security is:
- The secret refers to the control you have over your personal information and how you use that information. Personal information is any information that can be used to identify you.
- The insurance refers to how protected your personal information is.
Whether you choose to share certain details on your social media profile, for example, is a matter of personal privacy. How well a platform like Facebook protects the information you need to provide so that you can use the platform is a matter of security.
The difference between privacy and data security depends on who and what your data is protected from. Security can be defined as the protection of data from malicious threats, while privacy is more about the responsible use of data.
This is why you will see security measures designed to protect against data breaches, regardless of who is the unauthorized party attempting to gain access to that data. The privacy measures more concerned with the management of sensitive information, ensuring that those who have access to it, have it only with the consent of the holder and that they comply with the security measures for the protection of sensitive data, once they have it.
Measures such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are an example of measures to protect your privacy. Requires companies to inform you in advance about the data they collect and how they intend to use that data. Then they need your consent to collect them.
How to better protect your privacy and security on the Internet
Fortunately, it is very easy to get some degree of anonymity and security online, even if you do not have a lot of money to spend on it. Measures such as anonymous browsing, disabling cookies and using a VPN are ways to start being safer online.
No method is absolutely perfect and you should not rely on any single solution for complete security and protection of your data. Combining them, however, will give you more protection from using one or none of them.
Use a VPN
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are a popular method for online protection right now, especially when using a vulnerable or unsecured safe connection like this to your local network.
VPNs prevent websites and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from tracking your browser history, and many of them have some level of attack protection. But, there are some vulnerabilities you need to know.
While a VPN may provide some anonymity by falsifying your Internet Protocol (IP) address and encrypting your connection, it still leaves you vulnerable to other non-site-based tracking methods.
Browser fingerprints and social media links, for example, can be used to match your history and give you an idea of who you are, even if you use a VPN.
VPNs are valuable tools, but are best used in conjunction with anonymous browsing in a browser to ensure that almost no history is left exposed, including social networking links. It is also a good idea to choose a VPN that deletes your information logs as soon as they are created.
Take advantage of encryption
Using apps with end-to-end encryption is a good way to enhance the security of your data online. Exchange services messages, like Signal, are end-to-end encrypted, meaning that no one but the sender and receiver of the message can see the data.
This is because data is encrypted (or encrypted) before being sent and then only decrypted when it enters your device.
So you need to make sure that the service you are using provides you with end-to-end encryption. Telegram, for example, will claim to use encryption to secure your data, but this only applies if you start a secure conversation in the app, not for all communications.
Stay safe
In addition to covering the encryption of your data, there are some other best practices you can use for better internet security and privacy. These include the following:
- Limit what you share on the internet and on social media. Constantly checking or tagging yourself at specific sites, for example, can give users a better idea of where you are. It is a good idea to check your privacy settings regularly on sites like Facebook so you know who can see what you are posting. It is also very easy to limit who can see your business and you should take advantage of it as well.
- Use a secure password manager (password manager) that you trust or even better, keep your digital passwords somewhere offline where they can not be accessed by hackers.
- Get protection programs from viruses and malware.
- Try extensions block ads and block cookies for any browser you use or control anonymous browsers such as DuckDuckGo.
- Do not save credit and debit cards when shopping online. The store system can be vulnerable to attacks. Check it out as a guest or with a virtual profile.
These are just some of the steps you can take to make it harder for cybercriminals to access your data. The more obstacles you can throw in their way, the better for you.
