Personal data is the fundamental basis of our identity, are those distinctive features or personal information that defines us as an individual, be it our name, address, email, telephone number or any information that directly identifies us.
Today, privacy is called a way of hiding data, allowing people to be less cautious about the security of their private information. Therefore, we bring you an investigation that will make you change your mind.
In this post, we will tell you the best way to protect your data and some tips so you can use them constantly.
Shouldn’t I really worry about my data just because it isn’t “important”?
Nowadays, personal data is used for many tasks and transactions on the Internet. For example, him login or register on a website and social network, buying a product online, and other activities. But, Is that information really protected?. This network, over the years, has been categorized as a disturbing entry point for many hackers with malicious.
These attackers use different methods like Trojans and even use the bait web technique, to inject phishing. Millions of users have been victims of these attacks, and in the majority, are cases that affect your privacy and your economy. For this reason, the most advisable thing is to have protection for our data, that ensure their use, unauthorized access and loss or destruction.
How much money do companies invest to learn about our consumer habits?
The consumption habits are known as the actions or behaviors that customers perform in quantities and repeatedly during a purchase, and is generally divided into several types of consumption.
Businesses take advantage of these types of frequent changes and invest large amounts of money in technological tools and processes that run consumer data analytics. With this surveillance plan, they are able to find certain information from clients in order to achieve better strategies and adjustments of their own services and organizations.
Why is it important to protect your data on the Internet?
Generally, the development of the Internet brings many benefits, however, cannot guarantee data security. Therefore, this online world has brought many problems and risks for many of the users. Sharing personal information has become a habit these days, giving many cyber criminals the possibility to invade privacy more and more. Data protection totally changes the angle of this landscape and it is essential so that such cases do not happen.
By having an effective safeguard and good control of our information, we decide who can have access to our data and who cannotIn this way, we can prevent any type of risky situation that harms or attacks our life or that of another person. This security method, although it is not regulated in many parts of the world, it is taken by many countries as a constitutional human right. Putting as paramount, the right to privacy of individuals and their communications.
Snowden vs NSA How did a man stand up to the US National Security Agency?
Edward snowden is a former consulting employee of the INC what revealed different documents on the massive espionage carried out by the NSA from the United States. The Snowden Leaks they left the media shocked and caused a scandal at the international level.
At the beginning of June 2013, the newspapers The Guardian and The Washington Post explained that this Agency collected the telephone records of millions of people through the telecommunications company Verizon. The newspaper detailed a secret order to Verizon, where all phone data was frequently turned over to the NSA. Also, it could be revealed to Prism, a secret surveillance program used to track online communications.
It is said that this data was extracted through some servers such as Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Skype and Yahoo. Prism was also used by the GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters, UK) for information on online businesses. Snowden was charged by the United States with robbery, for the dissemination and publication of classified information of the NSA, which led him to seek asylum in another country. Currently, it is considered as a “Hero” in many countries for their great contribution.
Bubble filter How to get caught in a cycle of consumerism according to your tastes?
Usually each of us has our own interests and specific searches, and on many occasions, we tend to receive exclusive contentThis is called a bubble filter. Known as a kind of personalized information especially for a user.
Many of the websites or social networks developed by large companies work with custom algorithms that allow you to track the location of each click. Thus, manage to collect data on users to improve the experience, in accordance with their preferences.
These algorithms are created to show what they think you likeIn this way, they only show content that is considered outstanding. Which leads to being in a filter bubble, separating yourself from the information and opinions in which you have expressed an interest. Bubble filters have become a real problem for societySince, in addition to the fact that many of these companies invade the privacy of users, they create a lack of communication and spread information that is not important.
Metadata and Social Engineering How to use your data to defame yourself on the Internet?
We can describe the metadata as fundamentals that help specify other data. For example, a photograph contains metadata, These would be: your creation time, date, location, resolution and camera orientation, etc. The metadata by providing such information are considered somewhat advantageous and dangerous, and in many situations, They may be necessary to provide accurate security of private information.
On the other hand, social engineering is a method that is used to inquire deeply about information. With the help of hidden metadata Anyone can obtain private information and defame or cause harm to another person and even a business. There are people who have been exposed because of metadata, using tools that allow extracting metadata from a document, such as SEAL. Thus, antecedents are found that may represent a risk.
Tips to protect your privacy and your data on the Internet
Here, You can find some tips so that you can have your data protected of the dangers of the Internet and those who want access them to hurt you.
Let’s see some of them below:
Keep alert
You must keep track of all your personal information. At the time of share private or financial dataMake sure who you are providing them to, since in this network there are usually many scammers and hackers who will seek to benefit from you.
Safeguard your personal information
You can use tools or programs that allow you to save your data. Also, it is advisable to use passwords for any device or equipment, in this way, we will prevent any type of information from being exposed to another person. If for any reason you have to get rid of your computer or mobile, try to delete all the information that you have stored, in such a way that it cannot be seen or recovered.
Protect your operations
Before conducting online transactions, you must ensure that your data is fully protected. You can use encryption programs that cover the data you send over the network, it is mostly necessary to avoid risks in these operations.
Use security programs
When installing protection software such as antivirus, antispyware or a firewall, suggested by your operating system or high efficiency, you can prevent your computer from being invaded or affected by viruses or malware that can expose your files and passwords.
Learn about the best tools to protect your data on the Internet
In this section we introduce you some of the most outstanding tools that you can use for backup your data.
Go for it:
GuardianProject.info
The development of this tool was for the purpose of create open source programs that allow people communicate privately. Currently, there are several projects and applications like Orbot that can be used on a mobile device or the seeker Orweb on a computer, created to strengthen the security of users online.
GNU Privacy Guard
GPG is a free alternative to PGP encryption technology. Your service allows encrypt data, communications and use digital signatures for authenticate them. Also, it has the ability to withstand symmetric key encryption algorithms.
Download GNU Privacy Guard Windows
Download GNU Privacy Guard MacOS
HTTPS Everywhere
Ghostery