It is a known fact that we simply cannot function without the internet. We need it for work, for money transactions, communicating with other people, playing games, and everything else we can think of. It is simply the way it is and even though we keep complaining that we cannot function without being online, the fact is we like it.

Even though we get warnings all the time that we should limit our screen time and that there are security issues, we keep going. It is just human nature. However, privacy issues are very important and we should be informed and know how to handle it when it happens. Keep reading to find out more about the most frequent problems that you may encounter.

1. Personal information theft

There have been cases when some websites leaked the information of their users to third party users. This is a major issue and can cause numerous problems. This is why it is necessary to be very careful about the websites you use and where you leave your information. No one would want to be a victim of the fraud and have someone steal their money from the account. If you like to play games online and you would like to find the legit websites that will protect your information, click here Topgamersguide.com

This is why it is important to have strong passwords that will protect your account, but also to be wise when you choose the websites that you want to visit. If the website is not trusted, then it is better to skip it then to risk losing your money. There was a known breach of privacy that cost a Facebook insane amount of money on the court. Even though websites are obliged to protect our information, it is still recommendable to be careful and do what you can.

2. Tracking your online activities

Cookies are something that we have to accept if we want to have a functioning website. Of course, it is not pleasant to know that your online activity will be stored anywhere, but this is the reality, unfortunately. The only way you can protect yourself is to use an incognito mode because once you finish surfing the internet, the cookies will be automatically deleted.

Certain companies track the behavior of the users to be able to improve their services and earn money. Have you ever thought about the fact that as soon as you start searching for something suddenly you get numerous ads on the subject? Well, this is exactly it. The companies target potential customers and then form the content accordingly. Billions of dollars are involved in this, which is not surprising considering the number of people they are able to reach this way.

The only way you can protect yourself from tracking is to limit the number of information you give about yourself online. Simply avoid giving information about yourself on social media and talking too much about your personal life. Also, it is recommendable to limit the number of pictures you upload online simply to avoid any potential problems that you may be exposed to this way.

3. Phishing

Hackers usually use phishing to infect the computer of the victim by sending an email with the infected link. When someone who is not informed about this type of attack clicks on the link, the malware will immediately infect the computer and steal all the information from the computer. This means that they will be able to withdraw the money. If a link looks suspicious to you, simply don’t click on it. This is the best and simplest way to avoid being attacked. Of course, it is also good to have an antivirus installed on your computer to protect it from the treats.

4. Tracking the location of the user

You may have noticed that lately many apps will show the notification about tracking location or asking you to enable or disable it. Most people won’t think about that, but if you keep tagging your locations on Facebook and simply inform your friends about all the places you are located at, you should know that you will be informing potential stalkers where you are or the thieves that your home is empty so they can walk into your home and simply take what they want. Depending on the city you live in, this risk may be higher or lower, but it always exists. This is something that you should keep in mind at all times and be very careful about the information you share online.

The most concerning thing about all of this is that most people simply don’t know how to make their web surfing more secure and protect their information. The fact that one-third of the users are not familiar with the ways to increase their security may be the starting point in raising awareness about online security. Users that are a little bit more familiar with the ways that they can improve their information online turn to VPN (a virtual private network) use. The reason why this is a good solution is that it is a way to enjoy a secured network and get the anonymity you desire. Also, it will be good protection against snooping of any kind online. It is definitely something that you should look into.

If you wish to be proactive and do everything you can to protect your privacy, there are some simple ways to do it. One of the first steps you should take is to check the settings on your social media accounts concerning privacy. Think about the settings you would prefer and then choose who will be able to see the posts and pictures you publish. If you want to keep everything as private as possible, you should share it only with friends. Of course, this also means that you should be very careful about the people you add as friends on social media. Avoid sharing your phone number unless it is the company’s official phone number. These simple steps will help you to improve your privacy and protect your data as much as possible.