Ten radical tips to protect data privacy
After Forbes Magazine presented a list of “10 Incredibly Simple Things You Should Be Doing To Protect Your Privacy” that has been much sneered at by the Internet community, with bloggers saying that it would protect privacy probably from your grandma but not more, Investvine has compiled 10 strategies that should be followed to keep US internet bloodhounds off your private life as far as possible.
1. Get off Facebook etc
Yes it’s radical and many people can’t even think of quitting Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media where private information is exposed. However it’s an open book for data sniffers and if you don’t want them to sniff then get off, it’s as easy as that. Even Skype leaves no privacy at all. If you want to share something with your friends invite them for a coffee.
2. Quit Windows and Apple operating systems
Use Linux and open source software and their privacy-enhanced features including open source anonymity networks such as TOR. Be highly skeptical of all online updates. Don’t use Java, Javascript and ActiveX which can be used for spyware purposes.
3. Never use cloud-based storage
The cloud hype has been propelled by large American IT firms for a reason. Cloud-stored data can be monitored much easier than data on your hard drive. Don’t use cloud storage systems such as Google Drive or Dropbox or SkyDrive or SugarSync, it is as if you put your data on a billboard for everyone.
4. Use alternative browsers
Hands off of Internet Explorer, Safari or Google Chrome, even Firefox. Use other and less known open source browsers where trace back functions and traffic analysis can be reliably disabled.
5. Avoid two-step authentification
Don’t disclose information if not necessary. For example, when Gmail asks to provide your mobile phone number for your email account, they can easily combine it with your other data and create a profile of your actions.
6. Don’t use Google Alerts
The use of Google Alerts allows to create a detailed interest profile and also a movement profile depending from which email servers you are retrieving your alerts and which networks you are using.
7. Use encryption all the time
Encrypt you mails, encrypt your hard drive, use your own proxy and VPN to make that data useless to eavesdroppers. Use open encryption software such as GNU Privacy Guard or Pretty Good Privacy or TrueCrypt instead of, for example, Microsoft’s Bitlocker.
8. Ensure online financial privacy
Quit online shopping with your credit card. Don’t use it at the shop either, Pay cash whenever possible. A credit card purchase leaves a trace. Getting cash from the ATM just says them you got cash not what you were buying with it. Don’t have your online account statements sent to you by email by your bank. Don’t use store member cards.
9. Don’t use anonymity tools from US companies
Instead use such tools that offer changing your IP and hiding your Internet identity from companies whose servers are outside the US, for example hideme.ru or similar.
10. Do your housekeeping daily
Sweep your harddrive after every session. Clear cookies and history files regularly (daily). Never let your browser store passwords and never use a master password. Don’t be connected to the Internet all the time. Turn the computer off after work. Don’t leave sensible data on your hard drive, put it on a USB stick. Don’t store passwords on your hard drive at all.
After Forbes Magazine presented a list of "10 Incredibly Simple Things You Should Be Doing To Protect Your Privacy" that has been much sneered at by the Internet community, with bloggers saying that it would protect privacy probably from your grandma but not more, Investvine has compiled 10 strategies that should be followed to keep US internet bloodhounds off your private life as far as possible. 1. Get off Facebook etc Yes it's radical and many people can't even think of quitting Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media where private information is exposed. However it's an open book for data...
After Forbes Magazine presented a list of “10 Incredibly Simple Things You Should Be Doing To Protect Your Privacy” that has been much sneered at by the Internet community, with bloggers saying that it would protect privacy probably from your grandma but not more, Investvine has compiled 10 strategies that should be followed to keep US internet bloodhounds off your private life as far as possible.
1. Get off Facebook etc
Yes it’s radical and many people can’t even think of quitting Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media where private information is exposed. However it’s an open book for data sniffers and if you don’t want them to sniff then get off, it’s as easy as that. Even Skype leaves no privacy at all. If you want to share something with your friends invite them for a coffee.
2. Quit Windows and Apple operating systems
Use Linux and open source software and their privacy-enhanced features including open source anonymity networks such as TOR. Be highly skeptical of all online updates. Don’t use Java, Javascript and ActiveX which can be used for spyware purposes.
3. Never use cloud-based storage
The cloud hype has been propelled by large American IT firms for a reason. Cloud-stored data can be monitored much easier than data on your hard drive. Don’t use cloud storage systems such as Google Drive or Dropbox or SkyDrive or SugarSync, it is as if you put your data on a billboard for everyone.
4. Use alternative browsers
Hands off of Internet Explorer, Safari or Google Chrome, even Firefox. Use other and less known open source browsers where trace back functions and traffic analysis can be reliably disabled.
5. Avoid two-step authentification
Don’t disclose information if not necessary. For example, when Gmail asks to provide your mobile phone number for your email account, they can easily combine it with your other data and create a profile of your actions.
6. Don’t use Google Alerts
The use of Google Alerts allows to create a detailed interest profile and also a movement profile depending from which email servers you are retrieving your alerts and which networks you are using.
7. Use encryption all the time
Encrypt you mails, encrypt your hard drive, use your own proxy and VPN to make that data useless to eavesdroppers. Use open encryption software such as GNU Privacy Guard or Pretty Good Privacy or TrueCrypt instead of, for example, Microsoft’s Bitlocker.
8. Ensure online financial privacy
Quit online shopping with your credit card. Don’t use it at the shop either, Pay cash whenever possible. A credit card purchase leaves a trace. Getting cash from the ATM just says them you got cash not what you were buying with it. Don’t have your online account statements sent to you by email by your bank. Don’t use store member cards.
9. Don’t use anonymity tools from US companies
Instead use such tools that offer changing your IP and hiding your Internet identity from companies whose servers are outside the US, for example hideme.ru or similar.
10. Do your housekeeping daily
Sweep your harddrive after every session. Clear cookies and history files regularly (daily). Never let your browser store passwords and never use a master password. Don’t be connected to the Internet all the time. Turn the computer off after work. Don’t leave sensible data on your hard drive, put it on a USB stick. Don’t store passwords on your hard drive at all.
