Protecting your online privacy involves a combination of practices and tools to safeguard your personal information, email addresses, browsing habits, and online activities. Here's a detailed list of steps you can take to enhance your privacy:
Email Addresses:
Email Addresses:
- Use Secure Email Services: Choose a reputable email service provider that offers end-to-end encryption, like Tutanota (ProtonMail was considered secure in the past but it is proved to be compromised by authorities), to secure your email communications, DO NOT TRUST USA BASED EMAIL PROVIDERS.
- Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing your primary email address when signing up for online services or making online purchases. Consider using a disposable email address or a dedicated email address for such purposes.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your email account.
- Regularly Update Your Password: Change your email password periodically and make sure it's a strong, unique password that includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Use Email Aliases: Some email providers allow you to create email aliases. Use aliases for different purposes to compartmentalize your online activities.
- Use Privacy-Focused Browsers: Consider using privacy-focused browsers like Mozilla Firefox with privacy extensions or the Tor Browser.
- Install Privacy Extensions: Use browser extensions like uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, HTTPS Everywhere, and NoScript to block ads, trackers, and enhance your online privacy.
- Clear Cookies and Cache: Regularly clear your browser cookies, cache, and browsing history to reduce the amount of data that websites can collect about you.
- Disable Third-Party Cookies: Adjust your browser settings to block third-party cookies or use browser settings like "Strict Mode" to limit tracking.
- Use a VPN with Your Browser: If you're extra concerned about privacy, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) while browsing to hide your IP address.
- Switch to Privacy-Enhanced Search Engines: Use privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo (it is proved to be involved in a deal with Microsoft but still is a good option), Startpage, or Swisscows, which don't track your searches.
- Avoid Logging In: Avoid signing in to search engines or use them in private or incognito mode to prevent them from tracking your search history.
- Use the Tor Browser: For the highest level of anonymity, use the Tor Browser. It routes your traffic through a network of volunteer-run servers to conceal your identity.
- Don't Log In to Personal Accounts: While using Tor, avoid logging in to personal accounts or accessing sensitive information, as it can compromise your anonymity.
- Choose a Reliable VPN Service: Select a reputable VPN provider that doesn't log your data and offers strong encryption. There are a lot of VPNs services who sell themself as no-log but they are not reliable (because based on countries with poor privacy laws or for other reasons). A good VPN no-log provider is Mullvad VPN, it does not save user data and login works through a 12 digit unique identifier.
- Enable Kill Switch: Use the VPN's kill switch feature, which disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, to prevent data leaks.
- Use a No-Log VPN: Look for VPN services that have a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don't store any of your online activity data.
- Use Different Servers: Switch between VPN servers and locations periodically to minimize the risk of tracking.
- Disable WebRTC: Some VPNs may leak your real IP address through WebRTC. Disable WebRTC in your browser or use extensions that prevent leaks.
- Check for DNS Leaks: Regularly test for DNS leaks to ensure your VPN is functioning correctly and not revealing your actual IP address.
