Where to Start For Data Privacy?

• Data hackers are continually active on the Internet.
• Big tech corporations also collect our personal data in every possible way.

There are plenty of sources of data threats in cyberspace and enough reasons for worry.

• We need not be worried but MUST be AWARE of the vulnerabilities and sources of data threats so that our personal data remain safe in our custody.
• We neither need to be an expert in cybersecurity nor do we need to go to a cybersecurity expert to improve personal data privacy.
• We also don't require to buy any data privacy software tool to ensure that our personal data remain private and secure.

We must update our awareness about data privacy, and adopt some good habits or safeguarding strategies so as to keep our personal data safe and secure.

Use a privacy-protected web browser.

Do you use Mozilla or Google Chrome browser? Instead, start using a privacy-protected web browser, such as Brave.

Brave browser doesn't store browsing data and user details.

Use a privacy-preserving Internet search engine.

Use a privacy-preserving Internet search engine, such as DuckDuckGo or Brave browser. Those Internet search engines run an Internet search anonymously and don't save metadata associated with the search results.

Use a minimum of browser extensions as possible.

Browser extensions are good sources of data funnels to collect user data. Using many browser extensions increases the vulnerability of data collection and harvesting by third parties.

Don't use Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc., digital identities to register and log in to a platform.

When you register to a platform, use your email to register. Never register using a social media account, such as Twitter, Facebook, or Google account to register.

This way, you lose the freedom to deactivate or delete your registered accounts and give permission to access entire user data, including your connections' data, saved in the address book.

Stop downloading so many apps.

You can stop downloading meaningless apps that you may not need. You should uninstall the apps which you don't use and require.

You can install the minimum apps you require, and make sure you download them from verified sources or app stores.

Use cloud storage that you trust!

Storing files and folders on your computers and servers is better.

Storing data on third-party cloud servers you don't know well may lead to fatal leaks of your personal data.

Avoid using a password manager.

You may opt for the most popular password managers if you have to use many emails daily.

It may seem convenient to use password managers to store passwords of multiple emails on a server and manage them with a single master password.

If the single master password is stolen, hacked, or lost, all your emails are in the hands of the hackers or lost.

Remember that WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord don't preserve data privacy!

Do you use WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord frequently for communication?

WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord chats may be intercepted.

You may try a privacy-focused communication app, such as Signal.

Don't open attachments of unknown emails.

Don't open attachments in emails from unknown and fishy sources. The PDF and JPG file attachments may contain embedded scripts that can install malicious software and collect user data from the computer.

Never upload your personal and sensitive data to an AI-driven platform, such as ChatGPT.

ChatGPT has become so popular among Internet users.

People often insert personal data to ask questions to ChatGPT.

Your personal data will remain in the ChatGPT server and be used by the internal software of the ChatGPT system to generate answers to questions from other public.

ChatGPT system may disclose your personal data to the public.

Could you update your knowledge that MS Office collects and sends your private data to their US server?

Prefer to discard proprietary office packages, such as MS Office, because it is recently reported that MS Office collects users' data and sends them to their US server.

MS seems to do this under US government regulations! Recently, they were fined in Germany for collecting users' data.

Consider using LibreOffice, an open-source office package.

Finally, could you choose the right operating system software (if you have a choice)?

If you use desktops/laptops with Intel and AMD processors, you can choose your operating system (OS) software. Mac computers don't give the flexibility of selecting your OS.

Consider using a GNU/Linux OS like Debian GNU/Linux OS.

GNU/Linux OS is a UNIX-like OS and is inherently more secure and stable.

Conclusion

• Please keep in mind the data vulnerability and privacy attacks in cyberspace.

Use the right OS, web browser, browser extensions, office package, application software, and web/mobile apps.

• Be data privacy ready in your everyday computer and Internet usage.

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About me

I am a researcher and contribute to the overlapping areas of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). I am an active user and promoter of GNU/Linux, Free and Open Source Software. I develop cybersecurity and information security solutions, specifically graphical authentication security.

Text Copyright ? 2023 Debesh Choudhury — All Rights Reserved.

Cheers!

Cover:??A Photo by Miguel á. Padri?án at Pexels.

All other images are either drawn/created by myself or credited to the respective artists/sources.

Disclaimer: All texts are mine and original. Any similarity and resemblance to any other content are purely accidental. The article is not advice for life, career, or business. You can do your research before you adopt the options mentioned in the articles.

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Kolkata, Thursday, June 8, 2023.

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