How to protect your personal data and privacy on the web

The risk is very high. Protecting personal data it has become a necessity, not only in the face of attacks that can come from hackers, but also due to the fragility of our online privacySo much so that, according to Eurostat data, a third of Italians install apps on their smartphones without providing any form of data protection. But how can we effectively protect personal data? Let's explore this together.

Web security is a complex issue that still appears far from complete effectiveness. The digital world, while full of possibilities and information for everyone, is not immune to data breach, hacker attacks and data dispersion. The phenomenon is increasingly marked and companies, to respond to the threat, are finally allocating a greater amount of funds for the cybersecurityBut things are not that simple.

Every time you register online, create a web profile, make a purchase on an e-commerce site, install an app on your smartphone, or subscribe to a newsletter, your data is stored by the relevant company or digital property.

The problem is that companies are not always truly able to manage and protect the data provided. Sometimes, the digital privacy it is inefficient, and the data is easily accessible to the cyber crime. For these reasons, but not only, it is important that users are aware of their actions on the web and know as much as possible about some good practice who can protect their personal data as best as possible.

Index of topics

Set strong passwords

First of all, they are the security keys to make the first and huge contribution on the web. Using some secure passwords It's the first step to protecting your data in the digital world. In some cases, like Google, it's the browser itself that suggest a password to be set that respects the security standards..

But to intervene independently, it is recommended to create long passwords, over 10 characters, mixing USEFULL, symbols e lowercase characters e in capital lettersThe security code must not include any family name, date of birth, or personal information that a hacker could discover. It is also important to use different passwords for each website or account you want to create. If you use the same security key for multiple websites and it is discovered, many other accounts would be at risk at the same time. as reported in the ExpressVPN article.

Using two-factor authentication (2FA)

An additional security system has been introduced with two-factor authentication (2FA), an additional step to access a personal account on the web. This may require, for example, a confirmation from an App, a code generated with a Code Generator, on the kind of Google Authenticator, but also a code sent via SMS to your private number or to a set email address. In some cases, you can only log in with biometric confirmation.

But what exactly happens in these cases? Let's say a user created a Facebook account and set up 2FA from the very beginning. After a few months, a hacker manages to crack the user's password, but due to the two-factor authentication system, they can't access the profile because they can't confirm with a code or an app from the hacked user's personal device.

This way, as soon as the warning email that someone attempted to access the profile from an unknown location, it will be enough change password without having suffered any damage.

Install antivirus and firewall software

Another problem that could compromise personal data are attacks through malware e virus. By installing a antivirus On your PC, you can limit the damage and prevent such attacks from occurring.

We must not forget the Firewall, safety components capable of protect a computer system or a specific network from unauthorized accessActing as a barrier, the firewall filters all data attempting to pass through it, selecting which data is allowed to pass and which is blocked. It's a winning solution for protecting personal data directly from your PC.

Avoid suspicious websites

I unsafe or suspicious websites are those sites that do not have a SSL certificate of protection and data encryptionThey run on an HTTP connection, rather than HTTPS, and are often filled with spam ads or untrustworthy content. Browsers today are generally able to detect from the outset if you're accessing an unsafe or suspicious area.

Surf with a secure internet connection

Another way of surf the web safely it is through the use of a VPN, or an HTTPS connection. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that allows you to establish a secure connection between the device used to access the Internet and a remote server. When using such a connection, actions performed on the web will be encrypted and made illegible, so that protect data from possible interception by third parties. Furthermore, the IP address login is hidden and redirected to the VPN's one.

Opting Out of Data Collection Under GDPR

The European standard on Cookie policy and GDPR, Guarantor for the Protection of Personal Data, is a first step to protect the data collected by websites for statistical, marketing, and other purposes of any kind. Users in Europe can decide whether to allow data collection, manage their preferences, and, if they cannot, can switch sites and avoid sharing their data for this purpose.

La privacy It's an important and crucial factor for online user security. For this reason, it's your right to review and choose the most appropriate conditions for browsing the web, without your data being collected and shared inappropriately.

Don't share sensitive information on the web

Users should never share personal data online, especially IDs, debit or credit card numbers, home address, or other sensitive information, on websites that do not have appropriate security standards.

Always check by clicking on Padlock at the URL height at the top of the browser, if the site is secure, if the safety certificate (SSL) is valid and how strong it is. But also check which cookies are accepted and whether the company or site is truly trustworthy. A license number or VAT number in the footer can be verified to ensure it's genuine.

Back up your data

Another rule that is useful when it comes to online data is that perform regular data backupsWe sometimes think that once we post something on the web, it stays there forever, as if in some sort of limbo. But the reality is different.

I server where our data is stored could be subject to crash, but also hacker attacks aimed at obtaining and deleting data, or simply targeting a specific company. This way, a version of the data can be saved in the cloud that can be restored in the event of a problem. This also applies if a device is lost or damaged.

Beware of online scams

Browsing online can also lead to coming across online scams of all kinds, starting from emails and SMS Phishing, in which telephone numbers or personal email addresses entered on some website are used to try to trap users.

These messages often pretend to be from a bank, courier, or other well-known service, inviting you to click on a link to complete a payment and enter personal details. Be very careful; never fall for these scams. No service, organization or company will ask you to enter personal data or make payments from links sent via email or SMS.

Also remember that it's important to stay up-to-date and recognize the most common ways hackers and scammers can obtain your personal data.

How to protect personal data