Wondering whether your personal data is for sale on the web?
Go to haveibeenpwned.com to find out if your personal information is included in over 120 known breaches at major companies like LinkedIn and Adobe.
If your name shows up, immediately go change your passwords!
Here are 10 Ways to protect your privacy on the internet
1. Tape over all your webcams: In 2010, a high school district was sued for using webcams to spy on their students. Hacking a webcam is quite easy for organizations like the NSA and the FBI. Professional hackers, creeps, criminals and even creditors can use your webcam and microphone to spy on you. Also check other camera you may have, like your trail camera.
2. Look for HTTPS: When you see “https” and a padlock alongside a URL in your browser’s address bar, it means that the data is encrypted as it travels back and forth between the website and your computer. This helps stop people from hacking the site and can also get you access to more features on your browser.
3. Disable location services: Some apps, like Groupon, track your location every 3 minutes. Do you really want everyone to know where you are at all times? Also, you’ll get better battery life if you turn it off.
4. Use tracker blockers. Most sites, when you visit them, put a tracker called a Cookie on your computer so they can track your browsing behavior. When you install a tracker blocker it lets you choose what is tracked.
5. Use an ad blocker. An ad blocker can block ads. It also can block malware and other evil viruses that are running around on the Internet.
6. Make a private search engine you default. Check out DuckDuckGo.com This is a search engine that gives you control of your information.
7. Review you social media accounts. OMG! Everything we’re been hearing about social media privacy. Take 10 minutes and do a social media audit. Check your privacy settings. Don’t accept invites from people you don’t know. Then go and remove any photos from your feeds that will embarrass you if they come out in public.
8. Keep all software current – turn on automatic updates. Updating can be a pain in the butt, and security professionals worldwide say keeping your software up to date is one of the most important things you can do to stay safe. Hackers are always finding new ways to get to you and most updates include patches to fix security holes.
9. Have strong passwords. Most people have really bad passwords that they use everywhere. Don’t do it. After keeping software current, this is probably the most important advice we can give you. Use a password management service if you don’t want to remember all your passwords.
10. Use temporary emails and have a fake address. When you are asker for an email address to access a website or content, and you never plan to use the site again, give them an email from 10MinuteMail.com. They provide email addresses that work for 10 minutes! This will save you years of spammy grief!