Don’t Be Overwhelmed by Digital Privacy – Easily Digestible Tips to Stay Safe
Estimated Reading Time: 7-8 minutes
- Digital privacy doesn’t require advanced technical skills; it’s about making mindful, consistent choices to protect your online presence.
- Many individuals feel overwhelmed by privacy concerns, but practical solutions like password managers and two-factor authentication can significantly reduce anxiety.
- Proactive steps, from using privacy-focused browsers to reviewing social media settings, drastically improve online security and reduce your digital footprint.
- Privacy extends beyond screens: real-world actions like using cash and shredding mail contribute to a holistic approach to data protection.
- Small, actionable steps, as highlighted by “Gentle January,” collectively make a significant difference in empowering you to regain control over your digital life.
- Taking Control: Essential Tips for Online Safety
- Fortifying Your Accounts and Devices
- Managing Your Digital Footprint
- Beyond the Screen: Protecting Your Data in the Real World
- 3 Actionable Steps You Can Take Today:
- A Real-World Example of Privacy in Action:
- Your Path to Digital Peace of Mind
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In our hyper-connected world, the mere mention of “digital privacy” can trigger a wave of anxiety. With headlines constantly reporting data breaches and complex algorithms tracking our every move, it’s understandable to feel helpless or unsure of where to even begin. However, safeguarding your online life doesn’t require advanced technical skills; it simply calls for mindful, consistent actions.
Recognizing that you’re not alone in these feelings is the crucial first step towards reclaiming control. Many individuals share this sense of being overwhelmed, but practical solutions exist.
“If thinking about protecting your privacy online makes you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or resigned, you aren’t alone.
Nearly 70 percent of Americans felt overwhelmed solely by the number of passwords they have to track, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey. Just over 60 percent aren’t sure that any steps they take when managing their privacy online make a difference, the same survey found.
That’s why, this January, The Markup published one practical privacy tip a day that Markup staffers or readers actually use in their own lives.
We called it “Gentle January” because the tips are a mix of calming (did you know you can stop tracking all those passwords yourself?), whimsical (yes yes, we do teach you to fake some things), or downright practical (turns out, you should install those software updates).
Here’s a condensed version of all 20 tips in one place. Click on any individual tip to learn more.
- Use a privacy protector on your phone and computer screens to protect your activity from wandering eyes.
- Download a privacy-protecting web browser that blocks not only ads, but cookies, trackers, and more.
- Install software updates as soon as they’re available to stay secure and avoid being hacked.
- Activate two-factor authentication across all of your accounts, ideally using authenticator apps or security keys.
- Don’t share your current location on social media—at least, until after you’ve left it.
- Use a password manager to ensure you have a secure, unique password for each of your accounts.
- Upgrade your wireless router hardware, especially if yours is from before 2020. Your connection will be more secure thanks to new privacy standards.
- Get a burner phone number in case you need an extra level of privacy when working, signing up for shopper rewards programs, or even using dating apps.
- Review your social media privacy settings to stop your account from being shown to people you may not want seeing it.
- Ditch Google Maps for an alternative. Even switching to Apple Maps can reduce how much of your data is sent to advertisers.
- Browse the web in “private” or “incognito” mode to reduce the amount of cookies you’re tracked by and keep your accounts secure. Especially if you’re using a public computer.
- Activate a little-known Screen Time setting, if you’re an iPhone user, to decrease the chance of your data being taken if your phone gets lost or stolen.
- Keep your kids’ info off the internet if you’re a parent. That’s it. That’s the tip.
- Keep your info off the internet by using services like DeleteMe, that remove your data from data brokers’ hands.
- Don’t forget about real-world privacy, like using cash and shredding your mail before you throw it away.
- Try using a “virtual machine” the next time you want to open a potentially sketchy document or software.
- Implement a written or numeric passcode, rather than using FaceID or other face recognition technology, to unlock your phone.
- Lie about your birthday! To retailers in particular. They don’t need to know.
- Fake your answers to account security questions to keep hackers from finding and using your real info. This can also stop some pretty personal data from getting exposed in a potential breach.
- Say goodbye to Gmail, Hotmail, and the like by switching to a more private email provider.
Actions like these—however small they may feel—do make a difference. Just think about how one organization turning off its tracking code can potentially protect the data of all of its visitors. By implementing just a few of these privacy tips, your accounts could be safer and less of your data could end up with advertisers.
While Gentle January has come to an end for now, our newsroom regularly investigates how technology—from Facebook’s Pixel to software implemented by colleges and universities—may be putting sensitive data about you at risk. These investigations often come paired with information you can use to better protect your privacy both online and in the real world. To get notified each time we publish a new story about the ways technology is shaping our society, sign up for our Klaxon newsletter.
Credits
Maria Puertas, Community and Social Media Manager
Design and Graphics
Gabriel Hongsdusit
Engagement
Maria Puertas
Editing
Sisi Wei
Ryan Tate
Also published here
Photo by SEO Galaxy on Unsplash”
Taking Control: Essential Tips for Online Safety
The “Gentle January” initiative underscores an important truth: digital privacy is achievable through practical, manageable steps. By adopting a proactive mindset, you can significantly enhance your online security and reduce your digital footprint without feeling overwhelmed. Let’s break down key areas where simple adjustments can yield powerful results.
Fortifying Your Accounts and Devices
Your online accounts and the devices you use are the front lines of your digital defense. Strengthening them is fundamental. Overwhelming password counts are a thing of the past with a reliable password manager, which securely generates and stores unique, complex credentials for every service. This single tool not only reduces anxiety but dramatically enhances security. Complement this with two-factor authentication (2FA), adding a crucial second verification step to your most important accounts – think banking and email. Furthermore, diligently installing software updates immediately closes security vulnerabilities that hackers often exploit, keeping your systems protected. Consider upgrading older wireless router hardware for better encryption and ensure you use strong, numeric passcodes over biometric unlock methods for critical devices like your phone, alongside screen protectors to deter wandering eyes.
Managing Your Digital Footprint
Every click, search, and share contributes to your digital profile. Taking control means being mindful of what information you broadcast. Start by adopting a privacy-protecting web browser that actively blocks ads, cookies, and trackers, or routinely browse in “private” or “incognito” mode to limit data collection. Critically, review your social media privacy settings. These platforms often default to maximum sharing, so customize them to control who sees your posts and personal information. Avoid sharing your real-time location. For services like mapping and email, exploring privacy-focused alternatives to industry giants can drastically reduce the data sent to advertisers. And for parents, a simple yet profound tip: keep your children’s personal information off the internet entirely.
Beyond the Screen: Protecting Your Data in the Real World
Digital privacy extends beyond your devices into your everyday interactions. Think about the physical data you generate. This includes tangible actions like using cash for transactions instead of cards to avoid digital footprints, and shredding mail that contains sensitive information before discarding it. Online, services exist, like DeleteMe, that specialize in removing your personal data from data broker sites. You can even employ clever tactics like faking your birthday for retail sign-ups or providing misleading answers to account security questions (that you can still remember!) to prevent hackers from using real-world information to compromise your accounts. For a temporary layer of privacy, consider a burner phone number for signing up for shopper rewards or dating apps, keeping your primary contact truly private.
3 Actionable Steps You Can Take Today:
- Implement a Password Manager: Tackle the biggest source of digital overwhelm. Choose a reputable password manager (e.g., Bitwarden, LastPass, 1Password) and commit to using it. Start with your most important accounts (email, banking) and gradually move others, ensuring each has a unique, strong password generated by the manager.
- Activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This is your digital deadbolt. Go through your primary email, banking, and social media accounts and enable 2FA in their security settings. Opt for authenticator apps (like Authy or Google Authenticator) for stronger protection than SMS-based codes.
- Review Social Media Privacy Settings: Dedicate 15-20 minutes to audit the privacy settings on your most frequently used social media platforms. Adjust who can see your posts, who can tag you, and what data is shared with third-party apps. Take control of your public presence.
A Real-World Example of Privacy in Action:
After experiencing a wave of targeted ads and spam calls, Sarah felt her privacy was eroding. Inspired by the “burner phone number” tip, she acquired a secondary, inexpensive phone number. Now, whenever she signs up for a new online service, a loyalty program at a store, or even gives her number at a restaurant, she uses this burner number. Her primary phone line remains private and free from unsolicited calls and texts, significantly reducing unwanted marketing intrusions and demonstrating the practical power of this simple privacy tactic.
Your Path to Digital Peace of Mind
Navigating the complexities of digital privacy doesn’t have to be a source of stress. The “Gentle January” tips illustrate that small, consistent actions, rather than radical overhauls, are the most effective way to bolster your online safety. Each step you take, whether it’s setting up a password manager or simply adjusting your social media settings, makes a tangible difference in protecting your personal information.
By embracing these easily digestible strategies, you move from a feeling of helplessness to one of empowerment. You regain control over your data and your digital identity, contributing to a more secure and less anxious online experience. Start today; your peace of mind is worth it.
Curious to learn more about how technology impacts your privacy and discover even more actionable tips? The Markup regularly investigates these critical issues.
Sign up for The Markup’s Klaxon newsletter to stay informed and empowered!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why do people feel overwhelmed by digital privacy?
Many individuals feel overwhelmed by digital privacy due to constant reports of data breaches, complex tracking algorithms, and the sheer number of passwords to manage. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey revealed that nearly 70% of Americans felt overwhelmed by passwords alone, and over 60% were unsure if their privacy efforts made a difference.
What is the “Gentle January” initiative?
“Gentle January” was an initiative by The Markup that published one practical, easily digestible privacy tip each day. The goal was to provide simple, actionable steps that everyday people could use to protect their privacy without feeling overwhelmed, covering a mix of calming, whimsical, and practical advice.
What are the simplest steps to protect online accounts?
Some of the simplest yet most effective steps include using a reliable password manager to create and store unique, strong passwords for all accounts, activating two-factor authentication (2FA) on critical accounts (especially email and banking), and diligently installing software updates as soon as they become available.
How can I manage my digital footprint?
To manage your digital footprint, consider using a privacy-protecting web browser or routinely browsing in “private” or “incognito” mode. Regularly review and adjust your social media privacy settings, avoid sharing your real-time location, and explore privacy-focused alternatives for services like mapping and email. For parents, it’s crucial to keep children’s personal information off the internet.
Does real-world privacy matter as much as online privacy?
Yes, real-world privacy is equally important and often interconnected with online privacy. Actions like using cash for transactions, shredding sensitive mail, and even using a burner phone number for certain sign-ups can significantly reduce your overall data exposure and prevent linking physical actions to your digital identity.
What are 3 actionable steps I can take today for better privacy?
- Implement a Password Manager: Choose a reputable one (e.g., Bitwarden, LastPass) and start securing your most important accounts.
- Activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA using authenticator apps on your email, banking, and key social media accounts.
- Review Social Media Privacy Settings: Dedicate 15-20 minutes to audit and adjust the privacy settings on your frequently used social platforms.
How can I stay informed about digital privacy issues?
Organizations like The Markup regularly investigate how technology impacts personal privacy and offer actionable tips. You can stay informed by subscribing to their newsletters, such as The Markup’s Klaxon newsletter, which provides updates on new stories and privacy-protecting information.
