How to Protect Your Online Privacy A Practical Guide


Each time you search for something online, your browser sends a query to a DNS server. Before the query reaches a DNS server, however, it first has to go through your ISP. Needless to say, your ISP easily can read and monitor these queries, which gives it a window into your online activity.
Not all ISPs monitor your browser queries but the ones that don't are the exception and not the rule. Most ISPs will keep records of your Web browsing for a period of a few months to a year. Most ISPs don't record your texts, but they do keep records of who texted you.There are two ways to protect your privacy if you don't want your ISP monitoring your browser queries: 1) Switch to an ISP that doesn't monitor your online data, if practicable; or 2) Get a VPN to protect your data (more on this later).

Strengthen and Protect Your Login Credentials

One thing most people take for granted is the login credentials they use to access their many online accounts. Your username and password are the only things keeping your information and privileges from getting into the wrong hands. This is why it's important to make them as strong as possible.
Choose a strong username that is simple and easy to remember but can't easily be linked to your identity. This is to prevent hackers from correctly guessing your username based on your name, age, or date of birth. You'd be surprised just how cunningly hackers can find this information. Also, never use your Social Security Number as your username.
Next, pick a strong password. There are many ways to do this, but we can narrow them down to two options: 1) Learn how to make strong passwords; or 2) Use a password manager app.How to Protect Your Online Privacy A Practical Guide
Learning How to Protect Your Online Privacy A Practical Guide to make a strong password requires time and imagination. Do you want to know what the most common passwords are? They are "1234," "12345," "0000," "password" and "qwerty" -- no imagination at all. A password combining your name and date of birth won't cut it. Nor will a password that uses any word found in the dictionary.How to Protect Your Online Privacy A Practical Guide