Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Three easy steps to level up your online privacy while browsing

Privacy does not come by default in the digital world. You are monitored and tracked every time you connect to the internet, even if it’s just to check the latest news feeds.

This process begins with your ISP and web browser providers, who collect data on all of your online activities; data that may be sold to advertisers or shared with government agencies at any time.

But there are more inconspicuous digital hazards that can chip away at your privacy and security, such as cybercriminals and scammers who revel in users’ ignorance and lack of cyber hygiene.

You can begin to prioritize your digital safety and enhance your privacy with just three easy steps:

1. Always check if your connection is secure with ‘HTTPS’

Any privacy-conscious netizen should be wary of unsecure connections using “HTTP” instead of “HTTPS”. The easiest way to spot an unsecured website is by checking the URL bar in your browser, which is usually accompanied by a “Not secure” message or warning.  Any data transmitted over HTTP is not encrypted during your session so it can be intercepted or easily read by any malicious individual who has access to the network traffic. As a rule, never use your credentials, or conduct banking or shopping activities via non-secure HTTP connections to avoid unintentional leakage of data that can be used by malicious individuals to takeover your accounts or conduct fraud.

2. Avoid sharing your sensitive information online

Oversharing information online is another privacy pitfall most netizens are guilty of. Sharing too much data online, especially on social media, gives threat actors an advantage in successfully targeting you online and the physical world as well. Share less on your profiles and don’t make yourself an easy target for stalkers and crooks by posting your exact location or home address, and never share sensitive data with people you meet online.

3. Use a VPN for a private and secure browsing session

A VPN, short for “virtual private network,” encrypts your internet traffic and tunnels it through a public server, ensuring that you anonymously and safely conduct your digital activities. It also protects your privacy and security whenever you connect to public WI-FI networks, stopping hackers from intercepting or hijacking your information such as passwords and financial information.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, get your privacy mode on with Bitdefender

Try Bitdefender Premium VPN to protect your private and browse safely and anonymously with industry-leading encryption and newly added features such as VPN app traffic optimizer to put a freeze on slowdowns to your favorite apps. You also benefit from our built-in ad-blocker to help dodge invasive ads and pop-ups for an uninterrupted browsing experience, and anti-tracker to disguise your online identity and stop data collectors from tracking you online.