Did you know that every day, we generate 2.5 quintillion bytes of data– so much that 90% of the world’s data has been created in the last two years alone? And it’s not just businesses and governments collecting and storing this data, but individuals too. In fact, the average person now has more than 200 online profiles.

We live in a world where our personal data is increasingly under threat. From cybercrime to identity theft, there are all sorts of ways for criminals to get their hands on our information. And as technology advances, these threats become even more sophisticated.

So how can we protect our personal data online? Here are some tips:

Walk away from a device

Walking away from a device when in use can help protect your personal data online. If your device is left unprotected, your personal information is at risk of being stolen. By walking away from it and locking it, you can ensure that no one else can access the information on it. You should also keep your valuables with you at all times.

Enable cookies only when required

Enabling cookies only when you need them is an effective way to protect your personal data online. Cookies are essential for many websites and are used to collect and store data. However, they can also be a source of privacy concerns. Fortunately, cookies are usually safe, and you can opt to turn them off when you are done with them.

Before enabling cookies, make sure you understand what they are and how they work. Usually, cookies are only required when you visit a website or subscribe to its services. You can also control what type of cookies your browser accepts. Some websites only allow cookies when you explicitly give consent.

Ask companies for privacy policies

Before sharing any personal information online, it is important to ask companies about their privacy policies. These policies should state which types of personal information are collected and how they will be used. In addition, they should list the categories of information collected. Some information is automatically collected when users visit a website, while other information is voluntarily provided by the user. Any form of identifiable information, such as your name, address, telephone number, and financial information, is considered personal data.

It is also important to ask what happens to the information collected by websites. Many privacy laws require websites to only collect the data necessary to provide their services and must inform their users of what happens to that information once they have it. Some websites sell this information to third parties.

Check your digital presence

If you’re worried about what’s out there in terms of your online presence, you can do a people search to see what comes up. You might be surprised at what you find. Even if you’ve never posted anything online, there’s a good chance that information about you is out there. If you have, then there’s a good chance that even more information is out there.

Your digital presence is the sum of all the online information about you. This includes everything from your social media profiles to the products you’ve purchased and visited websites. It also includes any information that has been shared about you by other people, such as reviews and comments.

If you’re concerned about your digital presence, there are a few things you can do to protect your personal data online. First, you can limit the amount of information that you share about yourself online. Second, you can control who has access to that information. Finally, you can keep track of what information is out there and how it’s being used.

When you’re online, you should avoid clicking on suspicious links. These malicious links may steal your personal information. Instead, go directly to the site you’re looking for. Avoid entering your credit card information or other sensitive information. Even better, don’t give out your phone number.

Another way to protect yourself is to update your software regularly. Ensure that your web browser has the latest security features. You should also install an antivirus to block phishing attacks. It can also protect you from cybersecurity threats and prevent them before they happen.

Maintain healthy cybersecurity practices

Maintaining healthy cybersecurity practices is essential for protecting your personal information on the internet. Even if you only use the internet to pay your bills or shop online, your habits can affect the security of your entire network. Cybercriminals seek out the weakest link in a network and exploit that weakness. The only way to ensure that your personal information is secure is to practice safe cybersecurity habits.

One of the first steps in keeping your personal information safe is ensuring that your passwords are strong and not easy to guess. If your passwords are too easy to guess, you may end up with your personal information in the wrong hands. If you leave your laptop or paperwork unattended, you may be putting your personal information at risk. It is also a good idea to avoid using public Wi-Fi or insecure connections.

Conclusion

As we continue to live our lives online, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with sharing personal information. By taking steps to protect your personal data, you can help keep your information safe from cybercriminals.