10 Simple Online Privacy Tips
Ten easy habits that meaningfully improve your privacy online.
August 1, 2026
1. Use email aliases and temporary addresses
Your email is the key to your online identity. Use a disposable address for unknown sites and keep your real address for people and services you trust. This single habit stops a large share of spam and data collection.
2. Use a unique password for every account
If one password leaks in a breach, attackers try it everywhere. A password manager makes it practical to use a long, random, unique password for each account — and you only need to remember one master password.
3. Turn on two-factor authentication
Enable two-factor authentication on your email, banking, and social accounts. Even if a password is stolen, a second factor (an app, a security key) blocks most intrusions.
4. Be careful what you post publicly
Your phone number, birth date, and address are commonly used in identity theft and social engineering. Share them sparingly, and check what is visible on your public profiles.
5. Use HTTPS everywhere
Modern browsers already prefer HTTPS, which encrypts your traffic. Avoid entering credentials on pages without a padlock, and never use public Wi-Fi for banking without a VPN.
6. Keep software updated
Updates fix security holes. Enable automatic updates for your operating system, browser, and apps. An unpatched device is the easiest way to get compromised.
7. Review app permissions
Many apps ask for far more than they need. Check which apps have access to your contacts, location, camera, and microphone — and revoke anything unnecessary.
8. Use private browsing for sensitive tasks
Private or incognito windows leave no local history. Use them for banking or travel planning to reduce what is stored on the device you share.
9. Think before clicking links
Most breaches start with a phishing link. Hover over links to see the real destination, and never enter credentials from an email link. Go to the site directly instead.
10. Check what data companies hold on you
Services store a surprising amount of information about you. Periodically review your privacy settings, download your data, and delete accounts you no longer use.