Protect your digital privacy

Regardless of how we use the internet, we're very likely to be tracked; that's why it's important to be vigilant when browsing; a few tips for protecting your data online can make a difference:

1. Disable cookies

These are pieces of code stored on your computer and used to remember information (such as items in your online shopping cart, names, passwords, etc.). Major websites usually have secure cookies, but cookies from other sites may not be encrypted. We can protect our data by only accepting

Cookies from sites you visit frequently or by blocking them entirely. Disabling cookies is possible on both desktop and mobile browsers (such as Safari for iOS and Google Chrome for Android).

2. Use a private browser window

Almost all browsers offer a private browsing window that tells the browser not to save your browsing history and prevents websites from tracking you. The browser won't save your browsing data, but the website, your employer, or your internet service provider will still see your activity. Therefore, this information protection isn't complete.

3. Use a secure, privacy-focused search engine

Some search engines operate differently than major search engines like Google or Yahoo because their business model is based on advertising in search results, rather than selling user data. Here are a few:

DuckDuckGo
Startpage
Search Encrypt
WolframAlpha

4. Install an encrypted browser

Unlike most popular browsers that allow users to protect their data to some extent, these browsers have eliminated many non-essential features to ensure a higher level of security. Here are some good encrypted browsers to try:

Tower
Brave
Epic Privacy Browser

5. Use a virtual private network (VPN)

VPNs allow you to connect to the internet through a remote (or virtual) server. Data sent between your device and this server is then securely encrypted. Using a VPN hides your internet behavior from both your internet service provider and any other group that might be monitoring your browsing data. They typically cost no more than €5-10 per month. Here are some options:

ExpressVPN
NordVPN
Private Internet Access
PureVPN
Perfect Privacy

6. DNS Leak Test

While using a VPN, even if your IP address is hidden, it's still possible to provide clues to your identity through your DNS traffic. Fortunately, there are tools that warn you if your connection is leaking DNS data. Try it. DNSLeakTest.com to see if your connection is truly secure.

7. Use virtual machines

Using VPNs and encrypted browsers will protect us from most threats, but an additional threat to our data security can come even from a PDF file, which appears harmless but can actually alert us to monitoring activity.
Setting up a virtual machine, which simulates a separate operating system running on your computer, can limit the risk. If a suspicious file is downloaded to the virtual machine, you must then disconnect from the internet to open it. This way, even if the file is malicious, it won't be effective at tracking your computer. VMWare And VirtualBox They are two reliable and free virtualization solutions.

8. Use a Live USB operating system

Live operating systems can be booted on almost any computer from a USB stick or DVD. Their goal is to maintain privacy and anonymity or circumvent censorship. Tails, a live operating system, uses cryptographic tools to encrypt files, emails, and messages. And when you're finished using the system, simply unplug the USB or eject the DVD, and there will be no trace of your use on the host computer.