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In our digital age, digital data has become the most valuable asset. Every click, every search query, every ‘Like’ are collected and analysed. For many companies, this data is of inestimable value, for example in order to better understand target groups, place personalised advertising, etc. However, while companies can use this data to boost their business, criminals also have a keen interest in such data, as any of this information can potentially be used to cause harm. From identity theft to financial losses – the risks are numerous. Protecting your own data is therefore more important than ever before. In this blog post, we would like to give you a few suggestions on how you can protect your privacy on the internet.
Handle Personal Data With Care
The first rule to remember is: don’t reveal more information than necessary. If possible, use nicknames instead of your real name and always think carefully before sharing personal information online. You should especially avoid using your real name in public forums or on social media platforms. If you’re asked to register on a website, always think carefully about whether you want to entrust your data to this website and always check its trustworthiness. If registration is unavoidable, you should preferably use an e-mail address that cannot be directly traced back to your identity.
Protect Your Computer and Devices
To ensure that your personal data is well protected, the devices you use must be as secure as possible. Take special care to ensure that your devices are always up to date by regularly updating the operating system and the programmes you use. Updates not only improve the performance and stability of your devices, but also close security gaps. To protect yourself effectively against threats, you should also use an antivirus programme. Antivirus software regularly scans your system for suspicious activity and malicious files, providing important protection against viruses, malware and other security risks.
Privacy Settings in Social Media
In many ways, social media is a true goldmine when it comes to personal information. Therefore, make sure that you regularly check and adjust your privacy settings. Restrict access to your sensitive data as much as possible and make sure that only people you know personally can see shared private information and pictures. The more information and photos you share publicly, the more vulnerable you are to identity theft and many other scams.
Clear Your Traces on the Internet and Keep Your Browser Secure
When you surf the internet, lots of data is being collected. Your browsing history, cookies and cache can reveal a lot about your online behaviour. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer by websites and save information about your activities. This information can include preferred settings, pages visited and even information about your purchasing behaviour. Websites and files are temporarily stored in the cache to speed up the loading process. In the event of a security breach, all this information could be used by criminals to access sensitive data or place malicious content on your device. Therefore, make sure to regularly delete your browsing history and cookies and clear the cache.
Use of Public Computers and Wi-Fi Network
Public computers and Wi-Fi networks are an attractive target for cybercriminals as they often have less robust security configurations than private devices. As these networks and computers are used by many people, there is always a risk of potential attackers gaining access to sensitive data. In addition, perpetrators can deliberately set up fake Wi-Fi hotspots that appear to be part of a legitimate network. If users connect to these fake hotspots, their data could be intercepted and manipulated without them realising it. So always avoid disclosing sensitive data when you are on an unknown public Wi-Fi network or using a public computer. To avoid this risk, you could also opt to use the RWTH VPN. In full-tunnel mode, the RWTH VPN offers the protection against harmful content implemented in the RWTH firewall. If you log into one of your accounts on a public computer, you should also make absolutely sure that your login details are not saved on the external device. Always log out properly after use.
Protection Against Physical Risks Such as Theft or Loss
There are many dangers lurking on the Internet, but in addition to digital threats, physical risks should not be underestimated. The theft or loss of end devices and data carriers can also have serious consequences. In such a case, it is crucial to have taken certain measures in advance to protect your own data. A first important precautionary measure is the use of passwords, fingerprint or facial recognition to restrict access to devices and data carriers. By activating functions such as ‘Find my device’, you can locate and lock your devices in the event of loss. It is also advisable to set up data encryption for personal data so that your data is protected even when accessed by third parties.
Sharpen Awareness Regarding Risks
The Internet is a place of unlimited possibilities. But with these countless possibilities also come certain dangers. To best protect your privacy online, you need to be aware of these dangers. Above all, it is therefore advisable to keep up to date with the latest threats, scams and security incidents. A trained eye usually recognises suspicious emails much more easily and is better able to identify scams. You should always be vigilant and cautious when surfing the internet. Stay sceptical of suspicious requests and never give out personal or financial information online unless you are absolutely sure that the source is trustworthy.
By informing yourself about the risks on the Internet and taking appropriate security precautions, you can protect your personal data from misuse. You are interested in this topic and want to find out more about how you can protect yourself online? You can find all our articles on this topic under the IT security tag.
Responsible for the content of this article is Stéphanie Bauens.
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