There’s no denying that the internet has revolutionized the way we communicate and share information. With over two billion people accessing the internet on a regular basis, online privacy and security have become more important than ever. In this guide, we’ll discuss some of the most popular security precautions and privacy measures available that can help you protect yourself online.

1. Two-Factor Authentication

Most popular websites and services these days offer two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security to your account. With two-factor authentication enabled, you’ll be prompted to enter your password and then a short security code that is sent to your phone. Websites such as Gmail and Facebook offer two-factor authentication features.

Although some users might find this feature annoying, it’s a small price to pay for an extra level of security. Once you configure two-factor authentication, logging in only takes an extra 15-20 seconds. Enabling two-factor authentication means that unauthorized intruders would need to have access to both your phone and laptop before they could access your account.

2. Encrypt Your Email

Encrypting your email is a great way to secure your messages from prying eyes. Encryption involves turning your email into gibberish code that can only be read if the recipient also has a key to decipher it. Encryption for Gmail is available through a Chrome and Firefox extension called Mailvelope.

But encryption is only useful if both you and the recipient have encryption software. But if you’re sending sensitive information such as bank account details, credit card information or social security numbers, then it’s worth the hassle of using encryption.

3. Set Up A Password Manager

Keeping track of multiple passwords for the various sites and services you use can be a challenge. A password manager comes in handy by managing your passwords and securing them behind a master password that you only know. Changing it periodically is a good practice as well. One such password manager is LastPass which can be a bit confusing for novice users, but it works well.

Although a password manager is secure, it’s important to set strong passwords that would be difficult to guess. After setting up the password manager, you’ll have to configure all your different accounts to use it, which might take some time.

4. Hide Your Browsing Activity

Advertisers, your Internet Service Provider, and even government agencies such as the NSA might be keeping track of your browsing activity. Hiding your browsing activity ensures that no one outside knows what you are doing online. A browser extension called Disconnect works relatively well to secure your browsing activity.

However, these extensions only conceal part of your online activity, so if you want to ensure true digital privacy, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

5. Encrypt Your Online Conversations

“Off-the-Record Messaging” is a feature that enables encrypted chat conversations, which is a great way to ensure your chat conversations with friends online are secure. Pidgin and Adium are some of the chat applets that allow you to IM all your friends across chat networks in one place.

Encrypting chat conversations requires that the person you’re chatting with also have the same software. But the security benefits of “Off-the-Record Messaging” are that your conversations are safe and nearly impossible to crack.

6. Encrypt and Secure Your Backups

The increased use of cloud services such as Dropbox, ZipCloud, or CrashPlan for storing data means ensuring that data is kept private and secure. One way to secure your data is to use encryption tools before backing up your files. CrashPlan supports automatic encryption, but for services like Dropbox, consider using SafeMonk, which encrypts your files before uploading them.

If you don’t have a lot of data to store, you can use platforms like TrueCrypt, which is a software program that encrypts your data. However, TrueCrypt requires you to download the software onto every computer you intend to use to access your files.

In general, encrypted backups are more secure than unencrypted backups. However, switching from unsecured cloud hosting services like Dropbox to companies like Tresorit and SpiderOak can offer added security.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, securing yourself online is not as complicated as you might think. With the right tools and a bit of effort, you can take control of your digital security and privacy. Spend a few extra hours protecting yourself online, and your information will be substantially more secure. It’s well worth the effort, so invest the time and protect yourself before it’s too late.