7 Ways To Protect Your Identity On The Internet

The digital age is a bittersweet innovation that has resulted in problems requiring significant investments. The most important of these concerns is the need for privacy and identity protection. Recently, there have been growing concerns about the changing nature of the internet toward privacy. This rapid change in technology and web usage has made some people question the safety of their personal information online. Many internet users are now worried about the security of the data they post on websites and numerous social platforms.

There are many ways to protect your identity on the internet. This article discusses seven of the best ways to do so. It also highlights the importance of taking privacy precautions and being alert and proactive in safeguarding your reputation.

1. Use Public WiFi With Caution

Avoid using public WiFi networks, especially if they are free. You never know who has set up the network or what it has been set up for (perhaps to track users somehow). Also, using WiFi is not secure because anybody using the same network can track what you're doing online and potentially steal your passwords, credentials, etc. Since you are all in the same network, whoever wants to see what you're doing can do so without your knowledge.

The use of a network with password protection at all times is also highly recommended.

2. Delete Cookies

Whenever you browse a website, your device stores information about you online so the site can identify you later. Subsequently, this data, known as 'cookies,' include your IP address, browser information, and history. If someone else gets access to the computer or device you use to log into the internet, they will be able to get this data too. That means they could find out who you are - where you live, what kind of computer or mobile device you use, and when you last used your computer.

You can delete cookies from your computer by going to your browser's settings and looking for 'Delete Cookies’. However, this may limit certain functions of websites that need the use of cookies to personalize your experience. Normalize using personal or trusted devices when browsing. It is safer, and your data is not exposed to any risk.

3. Avoid Sharing Confidential Information

Sometimes, you have to share personal information when creating accounts online. However, not all websites will require you to provide this kind of detail. Most browsers have a private browsing mode that keeps your online activity anonymous. This feature has different names, including incognito mode, private mode, or stealth mode.

It is advisable to always turn to this feature when you want to work on public computers. It is also great for logging into websites using confidential information. You can rest assured none of these vital data will be saved on the browser or search history.

4. Log Out of Social Media Sites and Email When Browsing

If you log into your Facebook or other social media account while using other websites, you leave a trail of your activity. That includes personal information and data about what you do on the internet. This information is enough to track down your IP address and expose your location.

That means that if someone else uses your computer or device, they can gain access to your information. This includes sites you have visited and all the posts you have commented on or liked.

5. Hide Your IP Address

One of the most important things you should know about online security is your IP address. Anyone who has it can see exactly where you are in the world. If it falls into the wrong hands of malicious users, they can locate your physical location. They will do so easily if they are intent on tracking down a certain person because they have your information.

To be safe, you can use a proxy website to hide the IP address and thereby change the location of your computer. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) come in handy regarding hiding location as well.

6. Use an identity verification tool

If you are not comfortable putting too much information in public, you may consider using a tool like hotmail.com to authenticate your identity when posting messages or videos on your profile. This extra layer of protection is beneficial if someone has been trying to impersonate you.

Identity verification websites also protect against scammers. Most scammers love exploiting unsuspecting victims by impersonating powerful people or institutions. They will set up a fake account and pretend to be someone else. They then ask you to send them your money or personal information, threatening to sell your data. Use Nuwber to verify the real identity of all the people you meet online to ascertain that they are genuine. Scammers prey on online users' innocence, especially those desperately looking for attention or networks.

7. Use Unique Passwords for All Websites You Visit

This is very important and the first piece of advice you will always hear from PC experts and tech gurus. Passwords are among the most critical security feature of any system. Without a password, your data or important files are at risk.

The owner of the website or anyone who has access to the server you are using can manipulate your data. Passwords must be random and undetectable. It eliminates them as weak links to your accounts. Another way hackers get into your account is by stealing information about you from related sources (such as social media) or hacking into databases with user data. If you're looking for a strong password, ensure it's at least ten characters long. It should contain a mix of upper- and lower-case letters. It should also mix numbers and special characters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, privacy and security on the internet are always developing issues. However, this article makes you reconsider what privacy means to you and how to achieve privacy while browsing the internet. Knowledge is power, and that is why this article gives you information about what to do to prevent someone from breaching your privacy.