The only true way to keep business, advertisers, and cyber criminals from monitoring and profiling your online activity in uncomfortable detail is not to go online at all. But since that’s not a reasonable option for most of us, your next best choice is to make it harder for cookies, trackers, beacons, and other technologies to follow you around the internet. These tips will help you maintain your browser privacy:
- Turn on the “Do Not Track” feature. Most sites abide by it (though unfortunately, many don’t).
- Block third-party cookies. Third-party cookies usually belong to advertisers and other entities who are tracking you. But don’t block all cookies; a site’s own (first-party) cookies are what make it function properly.
- Block trackers. Many sites are switching from cookies to trackers to monitor users, so make sure you’re using a browser that lets you turn trackers off – or better yet, blocks them by default.
- Lock down your default permissions to “ask” or “off.” Set your browser to ask you every time a website wants to access your camera, microphone, or location; send a notification or open a pop-up window; switch off your content blockers; launch a download; or start auto-playing content. Or just tell your browser not to allow some of those things at all.
- Be extra careful on mobile. Mobile browsers are more secure than they used to be, but most of them still don’t give you the same level of control over your privacy that desktop browsers do. Adjust the settings they do provide, and consider limiting how you use them.
Xantrion can help you choose and configure the most privacy-oriented browsers, teach your employees about proper desktop and mobile privacy settings, and show you how to incorporate them into your broader cybersecurity strategy. Contact us today to get started!