Online Privacy: 12 habits to safeguard your personal data online

We are the generation of the digital era. The importance of online privacy in this era can be understood by the fact that today, from school education to government programs, everything is being done digitally.

Digitisation makes one important change to our existence. That change is accessibility! In the digital world we are more recoverable and accessible to the world at large.

Such accessibility makes our identity and information available to more people. Moreover most of our personal data is in the hands of the service providers of digital technologies we use.

The biggest and most recent online privacy breaches include Air India and Dominos incidents. In the Air India online privacy breach, the personal details including passport, credit card details, birth dates, name and ticket information of about 4.5 million customers were compromised.

In the dominos India online privacy breach witnessed leakage of personal information including order details, phone numbers, email addresses, credit card details, etc. of over 18 crore orders. I am taking two well known online privacy breach incidents to explain the issue but the list is not over here. The list goes on, and includes government portals as well.

India is third in the world in terms of the number of data breaches, with 86.63 million coming under attack until November 2021. Moreover, as per Israel-based cyber security firm Check Point, we should expect data breaches and cyber-attacks to grow in 2022 to a large extent with the adoption of digitisation by both consumers and businesses.

In such circumstances, it is very important for us to be more aware and vigilant about our digital privacy rights and online habits. We need to develop privacy friendly habits over digital platforms to safeguard our privacy.

HABITS THAT CAN SAFEGUARD YOUR PERSONAL DATA ONLINE

1. Using?encrypted?websites

Always make sure that the website you are using for making financial transactions is encrypted. All the encrypted websites have “https” instead of “http” in their web address and also they have a symbol of lock before the web address in the address bar.?

Such encrypted websites use a pair of public and private keys for encrypting and decrypting data. Data encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted with the private key, and vice versa.?

This keeps your sensitive information hidden from the eyes of dishonest Internet users. So, now onwards always try to use encrypted websites.

2.?Keeping web browser blacklisting on

Many web browsers provide this security option. Turning web browser blacklisting on means the browser will show you only secure, trusted websites for your search in results.

3.?Using unique and strong Passwords

Using a unique and strong password is the first step you need to take to safeguard your data in the digital world. While creating your password use unique words, alphabets and special characters, and use all of them in your passwords. Never use such words or numbers that someone can associate with your identity such as first, middle or last name, spouse or child’s name, address, phone numbers, employers, or other identifying letters or numbers.

Your password should be so unique so that it will not be easily cracked or decoded. Also, never share your password with anyone. Changing your passwords a few times each year is really a good habit.

4.?Keeping the the “save password” feature off

Nowadays, most browsers have a built-in password management solution. Once you allow the browser to save password for your accounts the credentials are saved in that browser for future. NEVER ALLOW ANY BROWSER TO SAVE PASSWORD OF YOUR BANK OR FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS AT ANY COST.

5.?Using two step verification

Two step verification means an authorised user must complete two steps to authenticate successfully. In this method after typing your credentials (i.e., username and passwords) you are required to provide a second secret piece of information (such as a one-time PIN or a code you receive via email) only then it authenticates you as the legitimate user.

So, in short, two step verification verifies your identity using at least two different verification factors. So you need to authenticate your login with a combination of any of the two verification factors: Something you know; Something you have; and Something you are.

Two step verification absolutely makes your accounts more secure. If the data or personal information in an account is sensitive or valuable, you should enable two step verification.?

6.?Clearing cache regularly

You will be shocked to know that little analysis of your cookies, searches and web history can even point to your home address, family information and other sensitive personal data. To avoid misuse of your information hidden in your web history, always delete browser cookies and clear your browser history on a regular basis.

7.?Enabling cookies on browser only when required

Cookies are the details websites store on your computer, including information about what websites you visit and what you do there. If you need to enable cookies limit then only to websites that require it.

8.?Using end-to-end encrypted backups

End-to-end encrypted backup feature lets you set either a password of your choice or an encrypted key that only you know. So, no other third party service will be able to access your backups.

9.?Keeping your wireless router password protected?

You would be surprised to know but a hacker with experience committing cyber crimes can steal sensitive information from your computer while accessing your router. If you do not have a password on your wireless network, anyone in range can use and access your internet.?

Thus a wireless router that accesses the internet at your home or business should be password protected. You should also enable the encryption feature on the wireless router, which scrambles any data you send online to further protect your sensitive data.

10.?Avoiding phishing mails

Such scams use different methods to obtain your personal information or online identity. Never open emails or attachments when the sender is unknown and don’t click on unsecure links from strange emails. Avoid anyone offering money, unfamiliar job opportunities or requests for donations to charities.

11.?Protecting your social media privacy

There is a famous saying that if you are not paying for the service, you are not a customer but the product. If you see the data you share with these social media giants you will be shocked to know how much they know about you.

We discussed in detail how these social media giants make money out of your data and they track your activity across your mobile devices and websites.?So, from now on, be reluctant while giving permissions for accessing and sharing data to these social media giants. Make sure you’ve configured each social media site so that your posts are not public. Think twice before revealing too much in a post, since your friends might share it with others.?

12.?Installing Anti-virus and keeping it updated

Anti-viruses are security programs that help in keeping dishonest users and programs from infecting your computer and stealing information and data. This includes blocking harmful software such as spyware, viruses and phishing scams that can be installed secretly when you are online.

Keeping the rise in online data breaches incidents in mind, you should be more aware about your data sharing choices. Start working towards developing good online habits to keep your data safe in the digital world.