Can you imagine life without the Internet? Neither can we, and we love how it’s enabled us to shop, socialize, and work online. But with the benefits of the Internet come risks too. 

As a digital citizen, and particularly because we use the Internet for so many functions, it’s essential to learn how to protect your online presence and stay safe on the internet!

What is online privacy, and why does it matter?

Online privacy is a subset of data privacy and a fundamental human right. Basically, it refers to the personal privacy that you’re entitled to when you display, store, or provide information regarding yourself on the Internet. 

We all have information that should be considered private, such as how much money we make, our medical records, or our bank account number. This is the type of information that we’d not broadcast on our social media platforms for the entire world to see. Keeping such information confidential and private is part of protecting our right to privacy. 

How to protect your privacy online

1. Choose a strong password. 

Passwords are the keys to our digital lives. Cybercriminals employ many tactics to try and crack them. To make this task difficult for them, use strong, complicated passwords. 

• Your password should contain at least 8-15 character unique words or phrases.
• Use capital letters.
• Use numbers and symbols.
• Avoid using the same password across multiple websites.
• Avoid using the auto-complete feature for passwords. 

2. Commit to sharing less online.

Avoid oversharing on social media, as that can put your personal information at risk. Check your privacy settings, so you know who’s seeing your posts, and be cautious when posting your location, hometown, birthday, or other personal details.

3. Connect to Wi-Fi carefully.

Most free public Wi-Fi networks have very few security measures, which means that other people using the same network could easily access your activity. Avoid checking your bank accounts or making purchases with a credit card while using public Wi-Fi. It’s best to do transitions on a secure connection.

4. Secure your devices.

Don’t ignore software updates. The first and most crucial step is to set your operating system to install updates automatically. You can also download antivirus software to protect against malware like spyware, which collects data like credit card information in the background. You can use the storage encryption feature on your phone to protect your private data and set your screen to time out after five minutes or less.

5. Set up two-factor authentication.

A strong and unique password is not enough to protect you from cybercriminals from accessing your information. If someone sees you type in your password, they can memorize it and log into your accounts. Two-step authentication will provide an added advantage to cyber-proof your personal information. 

Simply put, having a second authentication step makes it much more difficult for hackers or thieves to break into your online accounts.

You can never be too careful. The number of online scams and hacks continues to rise, so you must constantly practice vigilance and stay on top of cybersecurity trends and developments. You can learn more ways to protect your online presence with Kitso, our innovative WhatsApp learning bot that helps you stay safe on the internet.

Say hi to Kitso and take charge of your online presence today!