The internet has radically changed the world.
It changed how businesses operate, how technology develops, how individuals communicate with each other and more.
As of 2018, 55% of the world’s population had access to the internet. As the years continue, this percentage will likely rise drastically.
With this in mind, concerns over data protection and individual privacy become more and more important.
With a database as vast as the world wide web, it can seem impossible for businesses and individuals to keep their information safe and their internet activity private.
But it’s not impossible.
We sat down with Pete Zaborsky, founder of BestVPN.com to talk more about how to protect online privacy in the digital age.
Use these tips and tricks to protect your internet sessions and the digital presence of your business.
Q: Is Online Privacy Even Possible in the Digital Age?
A: Yes, but it requires you to take some preventative measures.
The internet is full of some truly amazing innovations, insights and more. But it’s also home to hackers, cybercriminals and malicious programs that want to steal your data, hold it hostage and sell it to the highest bidder.
Surfing the web is not without risk these days.
Q: What Are Some of these Preventative Measures?
A: First and foremost, your systems need to have protective software on them.
Make sure you’re investing in antivirus and anti-malware software. And be smart when you’re online. Don’t download anything suspicious, don’t open any unknown emails and so on.
You can also protect yourself with backup software — this doesn’t keep your data safe from the start, but it does help you out in the long run if your data is lost. At least it won’t be gone for good.
And there is some really innovative software out there that actually alerts you when data is altered by outside sources, so in a sense, it can be used proactively too.
And thirdly, use a VPN to encrypt your internet connection. This protects you from hackers in internet cafe’s, and also prevents your ISP from selling your data.
Q: What are the Biggest Threats to Personal Data and Privacy Online?
A: There are a number of cyber threats out there — from hackers to ransomware and beyond.
Brands and individuals using the internet in this digital age need to be aware of things like insecure web pages, fishy downloads, corrupted web pages, and public WiFi insecurities just to name a few.
It’s hard to pinpoint one, specific threat to personal data and privacy considering how many of them are out there!
Q: How Can Individuals and Businesses Keep Their Privacy Protected Online?
A: For your average user, we recommend two tools. A Virtual private network (VPN), and some sort of ad or tracking blocker. This way your connection is encrypted but also third parties will have a hard time tracking your movements online.
These networks let users browse the internet almost anonymously, keeping user sessions safe and secure.
This keeps entities — both legit and corrupt — from tapping into your data and using it against you.
It’s also a safe and secure way to conduct business, keeping vital data sets under safe lock and key. And they offer a number of other benefits that make browsing a breeze.
In addition to this, of course, users just need to use common sense online, and they should be safe.
Q: How to Keep Your Privacy Safe in the Digital Age
A: It’s difficult, but not impossible, to protect your data and your privacy.
According to the experts, it’s as simple as following a few common sense best practices, downloading protective and preventative software, and investing in VPNs to keep browsing secure and private.
