VPN providers are experiencing significant growth, offering virtual private networks that create encrypted paths for Internet data, effectively masking a user’s location.
Previously, VPNs were of interest mainly to a niche audience. Nowadays, they are increasingly utilized by individuals frustrated with the age verification requirements imposed by the Online Safety Act.
Since the law became effective on July 25th, VPNs have surged to prominence in UK app stores, as users seek to safeguard their identities.
It’s understandable that users overwhelmed by the demand for personal information turn to VPNs, though there are other ways to maintain safety online.
Want to go incognito?
Many users instinctively turn to the “Incognito” or “Private Browsing” mode available in their browsers. However, be cautious of misleading terminology.
“Private browsing isn’t as private as it seems,” warns Jake Moore, a cybersecurity expert at ESET. “It merely prevents your browser from saving your search history, cookies, and autofill information on your device.”
This feature is handy for avoiding traces on shared computers (e.g., when purchasing gifts online) but does little to conceal your identity from external parties.
“Your identity remains visible to websites, ISPs, and advertisers,” Moore emphasizes. “They can still see your IP address and track you if desired.”
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Steer clear of major players
Search engines are the primary doorway to countless websites, yet many users are uneasy about the extensive data tech companies gather about them for advertising purposes.
“Google collects vast amounts of user data for profiling and targeted advertising, which is their main revenue source,” says Moore.
“This level of data analysis can be very invasive, and many users are unaware of it. [Tech companies] track their online behavior extensively.”
As an alternative, consider privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo. “I always recommend DuckDuckGo,” says Alan Woodward, a Professor of Cybersecurity at the University of Surrey.
Beyond being a search engine, DuckDuckGo also features a web browser as an alternative to Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Apple’s Safari, both of which are endorsed by Moore and Woodward.
Email also plays a crucial role in our online lives.
While “Big Tech” isn’t scrutinizing every detail of your holiday emails, it does analyze your data for advertising purposes—something they’ve been doing for years, Moore notes.
This data analysis allows Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and others to provide free services.
For many, myself included, the balance between cost and convenience seems acceptable. However, alternatives exist.
ProtonMail, a well-known option available for over ten years, features end-to-end encryption and built-in anonymity.
With 1 GB of free storage and an additional 5 GB from their Proton Drive cloud service, users get ample space, even if it’s less than what Google offers.
Many web users have concerns about online payments, yet they are becoming increasingly unavoidable. PayPal is a reliable option.
“PayPal offers great convenience, and I’ve never encountered issues with them selling my data,” says Woodward.
Moore adds that PayPal can be a safer choice than directly entering your credit card information on websites.
For those apprehensive about credit card details being stolen, many banks provide virtual cards that can be utilized for one-time or occasional use through their apps.
Apple vs. Android
The debate between Apple and Android enthusiasts is as intense as sports rivalries, leading to divided opinions among experts.
Apps in the Apple App Store undergo more rigorous vetting, making them a potentially safer choice.
Nonetheless, “Both Apple and Android are vying to gather information on their users,” Moore points out. “Both seek user data, which translates to power.”
Avoid social media
The same applies to social media. Although it has become integral to modern life, there’s no perfect middle ground between engaging in online discussions and protecting your identity or controlling how platforms manage your data.
“For data-heavy social media, the best privacy strategy is simply to avoid it altogether,” Moore advises. “Keep in mind: If the service is free, you’re probably the product.”
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
