Thanks to the marvelous Internet Revolution. It has given me a chance to say hi’ to this global world in such an easy way, right sitting here in my office space. Yes, that’s a huge achievement, and congrats to all those experts connected to this revolution.
The world is getting much closer due to the proliferation of 4G-enabled mobiles and their internet connectivity. Look around and you will see people busy with social media, video streaming and do a lot more on their smartphones.
We all are online 24/7 using internet for one or the other reason. But have we ever thought of the related privacy concerns?
If you agree with me let’s read ahead.
“Being a meme on your own platform” that’s what Mark Zuckerberg ended up a few days before.
So much of our lives now play out digitally. Then why are you neglecting your online privacy?
Sources reveal that India is expected to reach 530 million smartphone users this year. Businesses, developers, media and even celebrities have made potential use of these active users. On the contrary, there are instances where the smartphone users are tricked or cheated. There arises the real need of thinking about the online privacy and to make ourselves aware of the vulnerabilities in using smartphones.
What is privacy for you?
For me privacy is the right to decide with whom and when to share some information that I only know about. It may be where I am, what I think, what I like, who I love, what am I talking about right now, anything at all.
Everyone has a different definition of what privacy means to them. The information we keep in intimate friends and family versus other contacts and colleagues varies according to who we are, what we value and what context we find ourselves in.
- Evaluate the apps you use, and if they are free and you aren’t comfortable sharing your data, consider paying for a similar service that doesn’t collect data.
- Opt out of Internet Service Provider (ISP) monitoring.
- Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that you trust when using a public Wi-Fi.
- Browse the Internet privately in incognito or private mode to protect your search history.
- For online chatting, try services which encrypt messages before they leave the browser, making them visible only to the opposite end user with the password.
- Block cookies even if you love cookies! Cookies help websites to track you down and know your whereabouts. If you feel your privacy is more important than your convenience you need to maintain some anonymity.
- Linking accounts or leaking accounts. Do not ever link your accounts even if you are asked to. This is the easiest way you are helping the unauthorized sites to snatch your personal data easily. It might seem to be convenient for you but understand the fact that it’s risky.
- Promoters and brands gather an unimaginable amount of client information, to customize shopping experiences and better target audience with advertisements. Regardless of whether you value the customized shopping experience inherent to this retailer data accumulation, you should recall that others can most likely observe your movement, as well.
- Browsers like Chrome and Internet Explorer 10 now offer do-not-track settings but adding a browser plug-in adds an extra layer of protection and anonymity.
For more than two decades, people have used the internet to research, shop, make friends, find dates, and learn about the world, third parties have been watching–and learning.
Figure out what you care about and then make decisions to take control your privacy. No one is going to do this for you. Be more diligent about your online activities. By making minor adjustments to your online habits, you can play an active role in safeguarding yourself from the growing threat posed by online fraudsters and cyber-criminals.
