20 Steps to Take NOW to Boost Your Privacy

Online Privacy Concerns? These Simple Steps Will Help Protect You.

Are you concerned about how to protect your privacy online and the safety of your personal information on the internet?

You should be.

It’s not that the internet is an inherently dangerous place. But it’s certaintly not a safe, secure refuge where your personal information is carefully protected.

All you need to do is follow the news to see how often companies’ computers are broken into and how many networks are breached. Hackers not only break into networks, but also steal company (and customer) information off networks and computers.

With the increasing number of hack attacks, the growth of our wireless/smart devices, and the arrival of the Internet of Things and globally connected world, it might be time to give some thought to your own online life.

Should you have a lower profile on the internet?
Do you need to be more cautious about what you share online?
Do you trust companies, apps, and people more than you should, and assume everything will simply be okay?

Information Privacy

Forget about the internet for a second, and ask yourself this question: Would you be okay with anybody and everybody having access to your personal information?

Your medical records?
Your driving record?
Your shopping habits?
Your internet browsing activity?

Most people want privacy, but they let their guard down on the internet.

Surely you wouldn’t tell strangers off the street many details of your life just because they asked. But on the internet, strangers can learn details about your life that you don’t want them to know. It’s just that you’re not aware of it because they’re invisible to you.

Those strangers could be hackers who break into networks to steal passwords and other information. But they could also be random people on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms who simply take an interest in you.

Before the internet – and the growth of databases, networks, and the cloud – the personal information that doctors, stores, and companies had about you was relatively safe. But with the internet and global connectivity, the concept of information privacy has taken a hit.

Taking Steps to Protect Your Privacy

You can take steps to help protect your privacy and personal information. They revolve around keeping a lower profile on social media sites and limiting what and how much you share online.

Here are a list of simple, actionable steps you can take right now to better safeguard your personal information.

Sources include “Online Privacy Guide: Tips and Tools for Better Privacy and Security in 2025″ (Cloudwards), “Protecting Your Privacy Online” (Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice), “Discovering Computer Fundamentals: Living in a Digital World” (Course Technology: Cengage Learning. 2011.), and interviews with privacy and security experts on the Easy Prey Podcast.

Keep Your Browsing Data Private

Any time you use a device that you don’t own (like at a library or internet cafe), clear your browser history before you leave.
Set up a different email account to use only for shopping and online merchant accounts.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect your data every time you use public wifi.
Use the right browser extensions to protect your privacy and data.

Don’t Give Out Your Info

Fill in only necessary information for online rebate, warranty, and registration forms.
Don’t provide your phone number, driver’s license, or Social Security number to anyone unless absolutely necessary. (Not sure if it’s necessary? Ask what they need it for!)
Put the minimum amount of information on website enrollment forms. Where you can (and when it’s not fraudulent) put down fake information.
No matter your social media privacy settings, never post anything online that you wouldn’t want the whole world to know.

Remove Your Data

Tell Google to remove any search results containing your private information with their Search Results Removal Tool.
Clear the data your car collects about you (because yes, your car is collecting your data, too).
Get your private data off people search websites by sending requests or using a removal tool.
Stop credit reporting agencies from sharing your credit information with the OptOutPrescreen tool.

Get the Right Tools

Use a VPN to hide your IP address and location and encrypt your browsing data.
Use a password manager to protect your accounts in the event of a breach. While you’re at it, turn on two-factor authentication on every account where it’s an option.
Install and run an antivirus program on all your devices to detect and remove malicious programs.
Make regular backups, or consider a backup tool to protect your information in case of disaster.

Be Cautious Online

Never click links in emails or texts. Go directly to the relevant app or website, instead.
Be on the lookout for spam and phishing emails every time you check your email – and remember that with generative AI and new tricks, these messages can look extremely real.
Beware anything that makes you feel emotional – it may be a scam.
Always stop to think (and maybe talk to a friend) before acting based on something you saw online or were told in an email, text, or phone call. Nothing legitimate can’t wait ten minutes for you to verify it.