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Online Privacy Explained: What It Is, Why It’s Important, and How to Protect It

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Online privacy is important, but it can be difficult to know how to protect it. This guide will teach you the basics of online privacy and give you tips on how to protect your personal information and browsing history.

What Is Online Privacy?

What Is Online Privacy?

Online privacy is the right to control your personal information and how it is used when you are connected to the internet. This includes information such as your name, address, phone number, email address, social media profiles, and browsing history.

Online privacy is important because it allows you to control how your information is used and to protect yourself from identity theft, financial fraud, and other risks.

Why Is Online Privacy Important?

Online privacy is important for a number of reasons. First, it allows you to control how your information is used. For example, you may not want companies to track your browsing history or to use your personal information for targeted advertising.

Second, online privacy can help to protect you from identity theft and financial fraud. If your personal information is compromised, criminals could use it to open credit accounts in your name or to steal your money.

Third, online privacy can help to protect you from discrimination. Some employers and insurance companies use your online data to make decisions about you. For example, an employer may use your social media profiles to screen you for a job, or an insurance company may use your browsing history to set your rates.

READ ALSO: OmniWatch Online Identity Protection Review

The Risks Of Online Privacy Breaches

The Risks Of Online Privacy Breaches

There are a number of risks associated with online privacy breaches. Some of the most common risks include:

  • Identity theft: Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to commit fraud or other crimes in your name.
  • Financial fraud: Financial fraud can occur when someone uses your personal information to access your bank accounts or credit cards.
  • Discrimination: Discrimination can occur when employers, insurance companies, and other organizations use your personal information to make decisions about you.

How To Protect Your Online Privacy

How To Protect Your Online Privacy

There are a number of things you can do to protect your online privacy. Here are a few tips:

  • Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Strong passwords are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password.
  • Be careful about what you share online. Think twice before sharing personal information or photos online. Once you share information online, it is difficult to control how it is used.
  • Use a VPN. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address. This can help to protect your privacy from online trackers and hackers. You can check out our list of the best VPN services to make a choice today.
  • Keep your software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect your devices from vulnerabilities.

READ ALSO: Ultimate Digital Privacy Guide

Recommended Tools And Services

Here are a few tools and services that can help you protect your online privacy:

  • Incogni: Incogni helps you remove your personal information from data brokers.
  • Norton AntiTrack: Norton AntiTrack blocks online trackers from following you around the web.
  • Opera Web Browser: Opera Web Browser has a built-in ad blocker and VPN.
  • MacKeeper: MacKeeper includes a variety of features to protect your Mac's privacy.
  • PC Matic Magnum: PC Matic Magnum includes a variety of features to protect your PC's privacy, such as a VPN and ad blocker.
  • DeleteMe: DeleteMe helps you remove your personal information from search engine results.
  • Hushed: Hushed provides anonymous phone numbers.
  • IOLO ByePass: IOLO ByePass helps you manage your online passwords.
  • IOLO Privacy Guardian: IOLO Privacy Guardian protects your personal information from being accessed by unauthorized users.
  • Kamo (by CCleaner): Kamo is a password manager that helps you create and manage strong passwords.
  • Localize: Localize is another phone monitoring app to protect your privacy.
  • Social Catfish: Social Catfish helps you identify fake online profiles.
  • Reship Virtual Address: Reship provides virtual addresses that you can use to protect your privacy when shopping online.
  • Surfshark Alternative ID: Surfshark Alternative ID allows you to create temporary identities that you can use to access the internet.
  • OmniWatch Identity Theft Protection: OmniWatch Identity Theft Protection monitors your credit reports, social media accounts, and other online activity for signs of identity theft.
Incogni 55% OFF
Incogni
Incogni wipes off your personal information from data brokers.
Incogni wipes off your personal information from data brokers. Show Less
Norton AntiTrack
Norton AntiTrack
Protects your personal information and browsing activities from online trackers.
Protects your personal information and browsing activities from online trackers. Show Less
Opera Web Browser
Opera Web Browser
Opera is a web browser that offers features such as a built-in VPN, battery saver, and ad-blocker, as well as support...Show More
Opera is a web browser that offers features such as a built-in VPN, battery saver, and ad-blocker, as well as support for extensions and customization options. Show Less
MacKeeper
MacKeeper
The best Mac PC optimization tool for wiping out junk, blocking ads, protecting your personal information, and detecting...Show More
The best Mac PC optimization tool for wiping out junk, blocking ads, protecting your personal information, and detecting malware. Show Less
PC Matic Magnum
PC Matic Magnum
PC Matic Magnum is a PC optimization software that uses whitelisting technology to protect against malware and improve...Show More
PC Matic Magnum is a PC optimization software that uses whitelisting technology to protect against malware and improve the performance of a computer by removing unnecessary files and running regular system scans. Show Less
IronVest (Abine Blur)
IronVest (Abine Blur)
IronVest (Abine Blur) is a privacy and security software that helps users protect their personal information online by...Show More
IronVest (Abine Blur) is a privacy and security software that helps users protect their personal information online by masking their email, phone number, and credit card information. Show Less
DeleteMe
DeleteMe
DeleteMe is a service provided by Abine that helps users remove their personal information from data brokers and other...Show More
DeleteMe is a service provided by Abine that helps users remove their personal information from data brokers and other websites to protect their privacy online. Show Less
Hushed
Hushed
Gives you a pseudo phone number to call and text with.
Gives you a pseudo phone number to call and text with. Show Less
IOLO ByePass
IOLO ByePass
This Password manager safeguards your passwords and financial info from online threats.
This Password manager safeguards your passwords and financial info from online threats. Show Less
IOLO Privacy Guardian
IOLO Privacy Guardian
IOLO Privacy Guardian is a software that helps protect users' personal information by removing traces of online and...Show More
IOLO Privacy Guardian is a software that helps protect users' personal information by removing traces of online and offline activity. Show Less
CCleaner Kamo
Kamo
Kamo is a privacy app designed to protect your identity from advanced tracking techniques like fingerprinting and...Show More
Kamo is a privacy app designed to protect your identity from advanced tracking techniques like fingerprinting and tracking. Show Less
Localize
Localize
Localize is a phone tracking service that allows users to track the location of a phone by its number.
Localize is a phone tracking service that allows users to track the location of a phone by its number. Show Less
Social Catfish
Social Catfish
Social Catfish is an online service that helps individuals verify and investigate the identity of people they meet...Show More
Social Catfish is an online service that helps individuals verify and investigate the identity of people they meet online, including potential scammers and catfishers. Show Less
Reship Virtual Address
Reship Virtual Address
Shop without borders and have your packages shipped from anywhere in the world with Reship's secure and convenient...Show More
Shop without borders and have your packages shipped from anywhere in the world with Reship's secure and convenient virtual address service. Show Less
Surfshark Alternative ID
Surfshark Alternative ID
Safeguard your online identity with Surfshark Alternative ID, a unique feature that generates a brand-new persona and...Show More
Safeguard your online identity with Surfshark Alternative ID, a unique feature that generates a brand-new persona and email address for you to use online. Show Less
OmniWatch
OmniWatch
Safeguard your identity with OmniWatch, the comprehensive identity theft protection service that provides proactive...Show More
Safeguard your identity with OmniWatch, the comprehensive identity theft protection service that provides proactive monitoring, dark web surveillance, and expert assistance in case of a breach. Show Less
Glassagram
Glassagram
Glassagram is an anonymous Instagram viewer that allows you to peek at profiles and stories without revealing your...Show More
Glassagram is an anonymous Instagram viewer that allows you to peek at profiles and stories without revealing your identity. Show Less

Conclusion

Online privacy is important, and there are a number of things you can do to protect it.

By understanding the risks of online privacy breaches and taking steps to protect your personal information, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft, financial fraud, and other crimes.


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Abraham Faisal
Abraham Faisal
Abraham Faisal is a professional content writer. He has a strong passion for online privacy, cybersecurity and blockchain and is an advocate for online privacy. He has been writing about these topics since 2018 and is a regular contributor to a number of publications. He has a degree in Computer Science and has in-depth knowledge of the ever-evolving world of digital security. In his free time, he likes to travel and explore new cultures.

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