The Digital Landscape has made things easy and convenient for people from all walks of life. Technological advancement has made life easier for people but raises concerns about privacy and security. Cybercriminals and hackers are always ahead, using innovative techniques to steal users' sensitive and confidential information.
The convenience that technology offers cannot be denied. However, it all goes in vain when there's a data breach, hacking incident, or a significant privacy invasion. So how can you go about balancing enjoying modern technology and what it has to offer while at the same time trying to maintain your online privacy so that you don't fall victim to online threats?
This guide discusses the challenges of maintaining online privacy and the steps you can take. We'll dive deep into how VPNs play a role in helping you maintain a balance between the two. So without any further ado, let's get into it!
What Are The Common Challenges of Online Privacy?
Online privacy threats and risks are rampant in this digital age. Once you know the security threats, you can take the appropriate measures to counter them. Here are the most common online privacy threats:
- Data breaches occur when someone gains unauthorized access to an individual or company's sensitive data. It includes personal information such as passwords, email addresses, financial information, etc.
- Phishing scams are another online privacy threat where the attacker pretends to be a trusted person or entity, all to get the victim to reveal sensitive information such as passwords or credit card details. Phishing attacks are carried out via email, social media, or malicious websites.
- Malware and viruses are malicious software that can access your computer device and compromise your device and your confidential information. Trojan horses, viruses, ransomware, and spyware are all examples of malware that compromise your privacy and steal sensitive data.
- Using public WiFi can expose your data to potential hackers who can intercept your data and retrieve sensitive information such as financial details and login credentials.
- Social media platforms are notorious for collecting data on users. They collect customers' data, mostly without consent, to deliver personalized recommendations and targeted advertisements.
- Many apps and services collect data on users for various purposes. They collect data on the user's behavior, location, and preferences. Although the data enhances the user experience, third parties can exploit it.
What Is The Role of Convenience In The Digital Era?
The Digital Era has made people's lives easier and more convenient. You can see how technology has increased people's ease in several key areas. For example, the internet gives you instant access to information. No matter your issue or query, it's only a search away, and you have all the answers.
Technological advancement has also created a global village. Now, with various communication tools such as social media, email, and messaging apps, you can easily stay connected to your friends and family anywhere in the world.
Technology has made shopping easy and convenient for people. Instead of commuting to stores, which also takes time and resources, you can go to any e-commerce store and order whatever you want, all while sitting in the comfort of your home.
Digital payments have also made things easier for people. You can now make online transactions or pay using digital wallets, making cash payments obsolete. People can now make purchases or make transactions quickly and easily.
Gone are the days when you needed to sit in front of the TV and wait for your favorite TV show to start airing. The digital era has introduced streaming services where you can binge-watch hundreds and thousands of TV shows on your laptop, Smart TV, or tablet. You can get instant access to entertaining content.
Advancement in technology has also led to remote work settings and virtual meetings. You can work from home without needing to commute to the office every single day. You can also collaborate with others from different locations.
What Is The Tradeoff Between Convenience and Online Privacy?
The tradeoff between convenience and security is a challenge that users continue to face with the rapid advancement of technology.
While technology has brought so much comfort to people, from connecting with others to quickly gaining access to information, it often comes at the cost of the user's privacy.
Finding the right balance between convenience and online security is the mutual responsibility of individual users and technology developers.
It means educating users, adopting effective security measures, and having transparent privacy policies that enable individuals to enjoy the benefits of technology, be wary of online threats, and safeguard their privacy and security.
How Can I Protect My Online Privacy?
Protecting your online privacy is important, especially today, where apps and websites often collect your data without your consent. However, as we discussed, finding the right balance between online privacy and convenience can be tricky. You should be able to enjoy the comfort that technology brings without compromising your privacy. To reach a balance, you can implement the following tips:
1) Strong Passwords
You should create strong passwords for your accounts and ensure you have different passwords for all your accounts. A strong password consists of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You can also use a password manager to store all your passwords securely.
2) Use A VPN
VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and mask your IP address. It enhances your privacy and security when you're online and makes it difficult for cybercriminals and hackers to intercept your data or track your online activities. It's essential to avail the Best VPN service for privacy to get the maximum benefits.
You can access censored and geo-restricted content and have a seamless online experience while keeping your online activities safe and secure.
3) Enable Two Factor Authentication
Always enable two-factor authentication on all your online accounts. It adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification in the form of a one-time password (OTP) sent to your mobile device.
4) Avoid Public WiFi
Public networks are not secure and are prone to security risks. Since they are not safe, any hacker or cybercriminal can gain unauthorized access to your data if you're using public WiFi. Avoid sharing confidential financial details such as credit card details, online banking information, or sensitive passwords on a public network.
5) Regularly Update Software
Keep your operating system, apps, and antivirus software up to date, and ensure you have the latest software updates and security patches to protect yourself against security threats.
6) Review App Permissions
Whenever you install an app, review the permissions they're asking for before installing them. You can limit your camera or microphone access since some services don't require a microphone—only grant permissions for apps necessary for the application to work. Consider removing apps that have been granted too much access to your data.
Conclusion
The advancement of technology has paved the way for people to have more convenience in their lives. They now have access to different services and information at the palm of their hand. But it also comes with concerns regarding online privacy.
By following a few easy preventative measures, you can quickly strike a healthy balance between using technology and using it to give you a smooth online experience while protecting your privacy. VPNs are a great place to start.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).