How to protect your identity online?

Photo for representational purpose

When surfing the internet, you leave a digital footprint and cybercriminals can learn a lot about you as a result. Here are some ways to protect your identity online!

If you use the internet for work, study or leisure, be aware that the risks of having hackers after your data are great. In addition to being vulnerable to advertisers and others, cybercriminals can be snooping around the sites you visit and searches performed.

Thus, your information can be stolen and you are exposed to dangers on the internet, including having your identity stolen. Malicious people can read your messages, make purchases in your name, use your photos, and other cybercrimes.

So how to protect your identity online? Check out some effective tips!

Tips to protect your identity on the internet

As you saw above, your digital identity is not private and if any breach occurs, it is unlikely that those responsible will be caught. Therefore, it is essential to have secure connections, pay attention to fraudulent emails, invest in software updates and use strong passwords.

While many people believe that not using social media or not being logged into an account is always protected, it is a mistake. After all, when entering the domains of the digital world, your identity is configured by different factors.

Among them: IP address, online transactions, applications used, search history and others. Therefore, every online interaction you perform is added to your internet ‘identity document'.

Thus, it can be accessed by malicious people without you noticing. See below how to avoid this and protect your identity on the internet!

1. Avoid online tracking via your IP

What is my IP address? When accessing a website, your IP address may be tracked using cookies that leave traces that identify your online activity. That is, each time you visit a website, cookies are stored on your device, thus monitoring your browsing sessions.

Social networks, certain applications and search engines also collect your data. So, they end up creating a profile about their habits and desires, thus composing their digital identity.

You can hide your IP and have confidential browsing, anonymously. For this you will have to use programs or services that hide your identity on the internet.

Among them, you can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which offers additional tools like encryption and sensitive browsing. This is a way to access the internet while keeping your connection private.

Thus, in addition to keeping your identity secure, you will be free from geographic restrictions, as IP recognition systems will not be able to identify your virtual address using a VPN on your device.

2. Update your applications and software

It is very important to update your digital devices as it not only fixes bugs but also fixes vulnerabilities and security issues. In order not to run the risk of forgetting to perform periodic updates, turn on automatic ones.

Keep in mind that updating your antivirus is even more important to strengthen the security barrier on your device. But in general, vulnerability is a great opportunity for hackers, hence the importance of periodically updating both apps and software.

3. Pay attention to emails

There are different types of email scams, like Phishing, that look like real emails but aren't. Hackers send a message through an account that closely mimics the design of your trusted contact, person, or company.

Thus, it manages to steal your password or make you download a certain document or image, which is actually malware, thus infecting your digital device.

In order not to have your data and your identity stolen, be aware that most internet services do not ask for your personal information by email. Therefore, before filling out any application or downloading files, open your browser and confirm at the company address that the information is real. If you prefer, contact us by phone.