Every time you go online, you are targeted by many giant companies. All your actions are monitored by online algorithms and robots that are trying to collect as much personal information about you as possible.
Many companies, like Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, specifically make their products free, so that the user, using them, shares his data. This information is further sold, namely, advertising is sold with an exact target audience in 92% of cases.
There are 4 simple steps you can take to prevent theft of your data and its further use:
Just because a particular site uses HTTPS doesn’t mean that everything you do on that site will be encrypted. Using HTTPS instead of HTTP ensures that your data is encrypted before transmission, making it more secure. You can install the HTTPS Everywhere extension for Chrome and Firefox for this to always happen.
VPN is a generic name for technologies that allow you to use not your own, but a spoofed location on the Internet. Thus, protecting information about yourself from prying eyes. If you use Virtual Private Network (VPN), then the ISP sees encrypted traffic that is directed to a specific IP address.
With a reliable VPN service, your ISP cannot determine where the traffic you are consuming is directed to. However, when comparing the subscriber’s network traffic to the server’s traffic by time stamps, further tracking can be done if desired. But for these purposes, more complex and resource-intensive technical solutions will be required.
Use Tor To Browse Anonymously
Tor is a wide network of virtual tunnels that allow you to surf the Internet without leaving any traces. After downloading Tor, you will be directed to a special browser called TorBrowser. This browser will provide you with a protected IP address other than your own. With this browser, you can use the Internet anonymously.
As opposed to a VPN, in which traffic is constantly directed to one server over a long period of time, Tor automatically changes IP addresses. Therefore, the provider can determine that you most likely used Tor, based on the encrypted traffic flow and regular address changes, based on which this should be reflected in the logs.
The subscriber will receive nothing for using the VPN + Tor connection. Since the implementation of such manipulations is not prohibited by law.
Almost all modern browsers have Incognito or InPrivate mode. The following data is not saved in this mode:
– browsing history;
– search queries;
– cookies;
– authorization data;
– cache of various sites;
– completed forms.
However, there is a small remark – all this is not saved directly in the history of the browser itself. The “incognito” mode will be useful when you constantly or temporarily share the same computer with other family members or friends.
Almost all modern browsers have Incognito or InPrivate mode. The following data is not saved in this mode:
– Internet service provider (ISP), since all traffic actually goes through it;
– local network administrators;
– owners of a wireless Wi-Fi access point, for example, in a cafe or other public place;
– site owners.
Even if you use InPrivate mode, providers will see all your visits. It is they who provide you with an ip-address and can relate it to the owner of the computer.
At work, your surfing on the Internet can be tracked by the system administrators of your company. Often, companies specifically track visits to specific sites (social networks, instant messengers, and so on) so that employees do not waste their work time. Remember, incognito mode is useless here. Special software allows you to quickly track which employee, when, for how long, and on what resource.
Online privacy issues are a much bigger issue than most people think. While it may not be possible to remain completely invisible online without actually disconnecting from the Internet, there are things you can do to make it harder for your ISP to track your every online move.
