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Four Tips for Protecting Your Privacy in the Digital Age

Privacy is different today than it was in the past. We’ve all experienced it. Have you ever received an ad for something just minutes after your friend told you about it? Or noticed your social media algorithms mimicking different areas of your life? Our preferences, needs, and wants are frequently traded in a digital marketplace – often without our consent.

Privacy in the 21st century requires a new skill set in securing data. Regardless of how we feel about technology, the internet is here to stay, so this is the new state of play.

We must be diligent in protecting our personal data from being exposed and abused by foreign or malicious actors. Social security numbers, health data, credit card information, and passwords are often targeted by parties who should not have access to them. Here are some tips for protecting your privacy in the digital age:

  1. Use reliable and trustworthy software. This means using an established and secure internet connection and only accessing secured websites that guarantee protection.
  2. Download anti-virus and firewall software to help combat unwanted visitors to your information. Click here to learn about Forbes’ top recommended antivirus software.
  3. Update your internet browser to ensure the latest safety net is activated. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) states that failing to secure your internet browser can lead to a variety of computer problems like spyware being installed without your knowledge or – in the worst case scenario – intruders taking control of your computer. Learn more about securing your internet browser here.
  4. Create strong passwords that are different for each website. This protects your safety in the event one password is compromised. Changing passwords often helps secure your privacy. Many experts recommend a frequency of 90 days.

Your right to privacy remains strong, and, for the most part, digital privacy should not lead to undue stress. Ensure you are doing everything possible to keep yourself and your family safe.