How to protect your privacy from the big companies after your data

With the rapid development of technology, it has become challenging to protect our personal data, because, in one way or another, we are already dependent on online technology today. It is especially social networks that violate our privacy. Most of the time, we unconsciously and instinctively give out our personal information when we open various accounts.

The internet is known to have made the world a "small village", opening up many possibilities, however, over time the dark side of the coin emerged when privacy began to be compromised for people.

The reason why companies like Google or Facebook want to know everything about you is that they want to know you better as a user in order to increase engagement with you better. Either to qualify leads for you as a user or to compile a better marketing strategy towards you.

So when you provide your personal information or your preferences of any kind, then you are helping these companies to create a profile of you and get to know you better in order to target you better.

IP address protection is essential because this way, you will prevent companies from getting your information, and everything you search will be kept private. Also, ad networks will not be able to track you. The best way to protect your IP address is by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). With a VPN, you gain more privacy. Your information will be secure and anonymous because VPN means a private network created across a public network. This is differently known as the easiest way to a safer internet experience.

How is your data collected and how to prevent that from happening?

There are different ways companies collect your data. Below we present you three of them.

1. Asking directly for your data

You probably now remember a time when you entered your data when you subscribed or when you registered on a website. Usually, the questions and areas to be filled in are with direct questions about you like your name, last name, E-mail, phone number, address etc. Companies use this information and create your profile as accurately as possible and later can use it to target you and sell you something.

If you wish not to provide your information, you can simply opt-out and choose a website that you do not need to register to use its services.

2. Through the use of social networks

Social networks have "invaded" us and become an integral part of our lives. We are already so familiar with them that we use them instinctively. We post numerous photos and videos without stopping, not knowing that they may provide our personal information called "meta-data" which means a set of data that gives information about other data. For example, we do check-ins, provide locations where the photo or video was taken, without knowing that such information can be used as a target for us.

The best way to prevent sharing metadata is by setting privacy settings on your phone. Do not allow all applications to access your photos. Avoid checking in to places as much as you can.

3. Through public WiFi access

It's almost impossible to live without being connected to the internet nowadays, especially since many people's jobs are done mostly online. We are often in positions where we need to have access to the internet. It mostly happens during trips when we wait in different places, for example, at airports or other waiting stations.

During these waits, there is a tendency to find public WiFi and connect rather than using our own data. But these public networks can be dangerous for our privacy. It is very easy for hackers to enter your data via public WiFi.

It is best not to connect at all to public WiFi. But if you are connected, then make sure you are using a VPN or HTTPS, which make all your communication encrypted. Also, try not to shop online while using public WiFi. It is worth mentioning that you should always have an antivirus installed on your laptop if you are a laptop user.

Conclusion

With all the social networks and the internet fuss going on, we can freely say that protecting our privacy nowadays is a real challenge unless we decide to live a different lifestyle, without using the internet at all. Otherwise, you must take all measures to protect your privacy. Maintaining privacy is already a challenge, but ultimately it remains in everyone's responsibility for their own security. Companies will not stop trying to get as much information about you as they need it for the reasons mentioned above. You have to be careful with your information because, in any case of a hack, you will be a victim. Above all, your identity as a person is fundamental, and you would not want to be the victim of attacks that violate your identity at any time, because you could be damaged in your career and your life.