Many high-traffic websites have improved on the aspects of security and privacy these past few years, so it shouldn\u2019t surprise you to see privacy features when you visit your account settings. You just have to make use of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are three simple, practical, and sensible steps you can take now, to achieve a more private\u2014and secure\u2014online life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your browser is your gateway to the Internet. Unfortunately, few of them have ideal privacy and security settings set by default, even if they\u2019re present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is in your best interest then to go ahead and tinker with your browser\u2019s settings, carefully making sure that options are set in a way that are acceptable to you, privacy-wise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can read about some popular browsers\u2019 privacy settings here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While you\u2019re reviewing your settings, you may want to clear out your browser history, too, and review your extensions\u2014you might actually find one or several there that you have already forgotten\u2014and remove those you hardly, or never, used. Vulnerable or malicious add-ons can easily become a privacy and security risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do a browser settings review on your mobile devices as well. You can learn more about them here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, if you find that what\u2019s in there by default lacks the privacy and security settings you hope for, it\u2019s time to ditch that browser for a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, most (if not all) desktop browsers that made taking care of your privacy their business, too, have mobile versions. Start by looking up Firefox, Brave, DuckDuckGo, and even the Tor Browser on the Google Play and Apple App stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you use a lot of different social media sites, choose one platform you\u2019re most active on and start there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(It\u2019s Facebook, isn\u2019t it?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With privacy in mind, update settings of certain fields in your profile that you feel would less likely make you a target of identity theft. You might also want to limit the way other users of that platform can reach you, such as a total stranger who doesn\u2019t have connections within your closest circle adding you as a friend. To learn more about your options, read Facebook\u2019s basic privacy settings and tools<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n