Online security is not a subject to take for granted in this tech-savvy 21st century. Everyone is busy downloading or uploading data on the internet, exposing themselves to various cybercriminal attacks. By clicking on any suspicious link or visiting a disguised site, you could lose a chunk of data you have worked all your career life to generate.
As businesses remain vigilant about cybersecurity issues, people are finding interest in the many ways they can safeguard their data while operating on the digital space. With that in mind, here are ten tips that can help you stay anonymous online while keeping your data secure:
1. Hide your IP address
The one way that hackers and other malicious internet users can get through to your network is by intercepting your IP address. If you want to retain anonymity in your activities online, find private proxies which will make it difficult for people to trace the geographic location of the server hosting your IP address.
Read More: What’s an IP Address? How To Keep it Private?
2. Use an Anti-Malware software
An Antivirus software goes a long way in protecting you from the invasion of privacy through the intrusion of your devices and network. It a type of malware was to make way into your devices, then your data privacy would automatically be compromised. Remember, there are multiple types of malware, including ransomware, viruses, worms, Trojan, spyware, to mention a few. Some types of malware are worse than others. Luckily, and antimalware software will notify you of any attempts of malware to get through to your network.
3. Use a VPN
Your anonymity can be elevated by using a (Virtual Private Network) VPN, which encrypts your web content and distributes it to different servers.
Read More: Best VPNs For Privacy in 2019
4. Use an Alias Email
You can have an alias email that acts as the forwarding address. This way, when you send someone a mail, they will not see your real address, but rather the alias one. If that does not work for you, then consider using a disposable email. This means setting up an email address with a fake name and using it to send the information for a specified duration before you dispose of it.
5. Browse Privately
The incognito mode of your browser is one of the easiest ways you can keep your browsing history private. The incognito mode makes sure that cookies, and browsing history are not saved. This means that there will not be a record of your activities online on the browser you use.
6. Turn off Your GPS
If someone can track your location, then, what is the point of browsing anonymously? If your GPS is on, people can quickly identify your exact location, which compromises your privacy. The worst news is that most of the social media applications we use will share our exact locations publicly, giving hackers an easy time in getting their job done.
7. Use Alternative Browsers, Other than Google
Google is a superpower when it comes to search engines. In that sense, a lot of your data can be traced if you are a Google user. Since Google keeps collecting a lot of information about you to better your user experience, it makes it super easy to trace back everything back to you. Instead, use browsers like DuckDuckGo, or TOR, which have an encrypted and secure mode of browsing.
8. Only Use HTTPS, Secure Versions of Websites
Never take for granted the HTTPS protocol used on different websites. It ensures that the information transmission on that site is secured, preventing intruders from planting any malware on that site that could harm a user.
9. Keep your Social Media Profiles Private
Your social media platforms are an ideal outlet for sensitive information. You must be careful about how much confidential data you share on your social platform, including personal contacts, location, among other details. Change the privacy settings from the default public to private, while guarding the amount of info you share.
10. Log Out
Avoid leaving your accounts logged in, whether on email or other social media platforms. Sign out once you are done before you shut down the window you were working on.