8 Easy Steps to Take Control of Your Online Privacy

We’re almost into 2025. That means there are enough statistics out there about 2024 that should show you why you need to take control of your online privacy.

• Only 14% of internet users encrypt their online communications.
• 1 in 4 Americans get asked to click agree to privacy policy every day (that they don’t read).
• From March to May (2024), encrypted threats increased by 92%.
• From March to May (2024), malware attacks increased by 30%.
• As of October 2024, data breaches have surpassed 1 billion stolen records.

So, you see, you need to take control of your online privacy. Read on for 8 tips on how to do it.

1.Clear Your Browser History Regularly

How often do you clear your browser history? If you try it now and it takes 10 years (exaggeration) to actually delete, it has been far too long since you did it last.

Erasing this digital password keeps your privacy intact. To make it easier, most browsers allow you to schedule it so that the history is removed periodically.

Or, for a more in-depth removal of your digital footprint, you can learn how to remove personal information from Google with Incogni. Still, your data is never 100% removed from Google!

2. Enable Private Browsing or Use Incognito Mode

This one is so simple, and it literally takes two clicks of a button to do! It’s browsing in a way that all data and browsing history aren’t saved on your device, essentially removing the frequency of leaving a digital footprint. Still, note: this does not in any way render you completely undiscoverable on the web.

3. Regularly Review and Update Privacy Settings

Almost every website, app, and social networking site has a function that lets you control what information is shared about yourself. We’d recommend modifying those settings occasionally or at least checking them so you’re not revealing more than you should. We’d also recommend logging out and in to check for privacy policy updates.

4. Limit the Personal Information You Share Online

Disclosing less personal information is the best policy. Avoid uploading irrelevant details like phone numbers, home addresses, or even the date of birth on social media and other websites. If anything is optional, don’t put it in! This information can be used by data brokers and other third-party businesses to create a profile on you or sell your data to companies.

5. Use a Password Manager

Studies show up to 65% of people use the same password for multiple accounts. Use a password manager to create and store unique passwords that are almost impossible to guess and prevent access from hackers. Because password reuse across multiple accounts increases the likelihood of data breaches, so many people are more vulnerable than they think.

6. Disable Cookies or Use Cookie Management Tools

Cookies are the reason companies and third parties can track your online movements. And now, you can’t go onto a website without a notification popping up first asking you to agree to cookies. It’s a red flag if they won’t let you browse the website if you press disagree!

As cookies are integrated into your web browser, you can easily disable third-party cookies. If not, use cookie management tools to avoid saving what isn’t necessary.

7. Be Cautious of Public Wi-Fi

40% of people in one study had their data stolen while using public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi allows for increased ease of use but puts your device at risk as these are readily available for hackers to exploit. If you use public Wi-Fi, use a VPN, or don’t log into anything with sensitive information like bank accounts or emails.

8. Use a Data Removal Service

A data removal service can be so effective. We linked one further up for you. Thanks to a lack of online privacy understanding and exploiting privacy loopholes, data brokers possess a wealth of private data and pass it to marketers or third parties.

This is where services that focus on data removal are so great—they request data brokers to delete the personal information they hold about you. The result is dramatically reduced risks and less online exposure.

These aren’t the eight tricky steps we’ve discussed—everyone can easily do them. Protecting your online data is so essential as we enter into an even more toxic era of online safety. 

Joshua White is a passionate and experienced website article writer with a keen eye for detail and a knack for crafting engaging content. With a background in journalism and digital marketing, Joshua brings a unique perspective to his writing, ensuring that each piece resonates with readers. His dedication to delivering high-quality, informative, and captivating articles has earned him a reputation for excellence in the industry. When he’s not writing, Joshua enjoys exploring new topics and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in content creation.

Author