The increased popularity of social media sites, online shopping and mobile communication means that it can be difficult for today’s Internet users to protect their information on the web. However, if you’re serious about improving your privacy and avoiding identity theft, there are numerous methods that you can employ to secure information. Here are seven tricks for web users who want to keep their personal details private. 

1. If possible, don’t use real information

If you’re setting up a bank account or making a purchase, there’s a good chance that you’ll have to submit your real name and accurate contact information. However, when answering security questions to set up an online profile, there’s no need to use real information about yourself. Feel free to use a fake maiden name or birth date. 

2. Enable private browsing

According to Time Magazine, most major web browsers have a “private browsing” setting that deletes cookies and other Internet files as soon as the window is closed. Enabling this option makes it harder for companies and advertisers to track your online history and demographic information, which in turn makes it more difficult for them to convince you to buy things with targeted ads. Recommended reading: Protect Your Privacy With Privacy Cleaner™ of System Mechanic.

7 simple methods for protecting your privacy

3. Use an online password manager

Having dozens of separate online accounts can make it tricky to keep track of all that login information, which is why many people resort to using the same password for numerous sites. However, this puts your personal data in jeopardy. If a hacker got ahold of just one password thanks to a phishing attack, he or she would then have access to all of your online profiles. Instead, users should invest in a password generator that includes secure password storage. Apps like Sticky Password create codes that are difficult to crack and stores them so you don’t need to remember each one.

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4. Log out and clear browsing history

Many sites, including Google and Facebook, will continue tracking your online activity as long as you’re logged in. Therefore, it’s important to sign out as soon as your social media activity is done for the day. Because it can be difficult to keep track of each individual website you’ve logged into over the course of a browsing session, Blogger News Network recommended that users also make an effort to clear their history and cookies after each session. Read 5 tools to protect your privacy.

5. Beef up social media privacy settings

One of the worst things you can do to protect data online is to have social media accounts that are viewable by the general public. Check your Facebook privacy settings to ensure that only friends can see your activity, and be sure to disable location information from your tweets. 

6. Use built-in lock screens

Most computers and mobile devices have an option to password protect the hardware to prevent unauthorized parties from accessing the device. You may trust your friends, family and the people who generally have access to these devices, but in the event that they’re stolen a lock screen is the first line of defense. Many apps – especially those that deal with finance or other personal information – can also be password protected.

7. Be wary of sharing the last four digits of your SSN

You know not to share your entire social security number unless it’s absolutely necessary, but you should also be careful about sharing the last four digits, which many institutions will ask for when resetting your password. According to Time, if someone has the last four digits of your SSN and knows your birthplace, they may be able to guess the rest. The first two sets of numbers in your SSN are determined by where you applied for your card and when you applied, respectively, so a hacker with a powerful decryption program could discover this information.

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