With vast amounts of data, apps, several devices, and the internet, every day we are straying a little further from achieving the recommended level of privacy. This is why there are a lot of privacy breaches and risks now than there was before. One might think the recommended level of privacy is relative according to what you might want to keep private. This is somehow true as different people need different levels of privacy. But think again, even if you have nothing to hide, a privacy breach affects not only you but also other associated entities.
Voici quelques conseils pour une meilleure protection de la vie privée.
S'assurer que vos appareils sont sécurisés
On a daily basis, one cannot recall the number of times we use our devices, (i.e., smartphones and computers) to access data and information. These devices have become essential and hence their security matters most. This is because they are the endpoints and in the wrong hands, your privacy will be at risk. Securing your devices can be done in lots of ways, but the most common ones include using passwords, passcodes and recommended biometric authentication. Weak passwords can be crack-able, but biometrics are hard to unless you are forced to unlock your device. To avoid this situation, always use a strong password that is at least 8 to 12 characters long. Also, keep your system, antivirus software and firewall up to date. Ensure the latter is up and running.
Connaître le type d'applications que vous installez
Apps are handlers of your data and devices can’t function effectively without them. Knowing the apps that you are allowing to handle your data is the first step to curb privacy risks. Some apps may contain malware, or you might download a wrong app that’s masquerading as the right app. This is common in the Android realm. Also, read reviews about a particular app you want to download before doing so.
Une autre chose que la plupart des gens oublient, ce sont les autorisations d'utilisation des applications. Parfois, nous portons atteinte à notre vie privée parce que nous ne prenons pas suffisamment en compte les autorisations des applications. Par exemple, vous pouvez télécharger une simple application Notes. Lors de l'installation, l'application vous demandera la permission d'accéder à l'appareil photo, à la localisation, aux contacts, aux SMS et aux appels. Si vous êtes sensible à la protection de la vie privée, vous saurez que certaines de ces autorisations ne sont pas nécessaires pour une application Notes. Dans ce cas, vous devez soit obtenir la bonne application, soit refuser les autorisations inutiles.
S'assurer que la navigation est sécurisée
Browsers are like ships when you are surfing the internet. If you are not surfing securely, you may land on malware pages, spoofed sites and other vulnerabilities. To stay secure, always visit sites with the prefix HTTPS at the start of the URL. Also, configure your browser to required privacy settings.
Éviter le WIFI public gratuit
Yes, we know free things are exciting especially free Wi-Fi when you are on a limited internet plan. Public WIFI may be secure, but the people who are connected to it do not make it secure. Individuals such as cybercriminals maybe after a lot of things such as usernames, passwords, bank accounts details and even data stored on your machine. Cybercriminals in public WIFI use password sniffing tools, eavesdropping, MITM attacks and other techniques to acquire or even delete the information they want. To be safe, avoid these free WIFI hotspots and if you can’t resist the urge, use the protection mechanism discussed in the next tip.
Utiliser un VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) ensures you are safe and your privacy is intact while you are surfing the internet. A VPN does this by encrypting your traffic and hence making it safe from prying eyes. It also assigns you a new IP address that makes you anonymous while surfing.
