28th January is data privacy day and we Mozillians celebrate it for whole month as privacy month campaign.
Privacy matters… Why?
Our day starts with internet and ends with internet. We can find anything on it at anytime. We can talk with anyone whenever we want. With this increase in use of internet, online issues and risks are also increasing continuously. Large amount of data is available over internet. This data can be use by hackers or criminals for illegal activities. Thus the numbers of cyber attacks are increasing day by day. That’s why it is necessary to make society aware about online security, privacy and how to be safe over the internet. That’s why we need to protect our online existence.
How?
It is simple. Follow some precautions while doing anything on internet, it will keep you safe.
Privacy and Security Tips:
1: Add Privacy Badger to your Firefox. It stops advertisers and blocks third party trackers from tracking you.
2: Enable 2-factor authentication (2- step authentication) on the apps you use every day.
It adds an extra step to your login procedure and makes your account more secure.
3: Use a separate disposable email id for offers, coupons to keep your primary email from spam.
Spam emails can be malicious and contain hidden contains that could be harmful.
4: Look for HTTPS in every website names. Visit only trusted websites. Check URL for legitimate source. It means the website you are visiting is encrypted.
5: Private Browsing/ incognito mode/private window- Clear your browsing history and erase all cookies.
6: Always read all permissions before installing any mobile App.
7: Cover device cameras and prevent Mic access because hackers can remotely access your devices.
8: Never autosave passwords in browsers.
9: Use privacy favoring chat apps like- Signal, Telegram, Silent phone, Chat secure, etc.
10: Mailvelope is a browser add-on that lets you send encrypted emails.
11: Privacy screens for your mobile devices are great accessories to protect content form others.
12: Privacy settings are great place to limit our data on social media.
13: Encrypt your communication with websites using HTTPS Everywhere for safe browsing.
Regular websites transfer content in plain text. You can create encrypted connection with HTTPS Everywhere plug-in, with this all website connections are secured with HTTPS.
14: Tor browser lets you surf anonymously, leaving no digital footprint.
15: Create strong password.
16: Lightbeam is a browser add-on that blocks third party advertisers.
17: Disconnectme ext avoids mass collection of your online data.
18: Virtual Private Network helps you protect your identity.
It is a most secure way to browse using public network.
19: Use Duck Duck Go. It doesn’t track you.
20: Use Proton Mail- all emails are secured with end-to-end encryption. No personal information is required to create an account. It is open source and compatible with other email providers.
21: Firewall (monitor incoming and outgoing connections) protects a hardware or software from unwanted access.
22: Use Add blocker (uBlock Origin)
23: Don’t use open/unknown WIFI hotspot.
24: Set up screen and app locks for mobile devices. Set password for each account on your personal computer. Protect your account from accessing others.
25: Enable remote wipe for your mobile devices and avoid data disaster.
26: Cover your digital footprints; they reveal a lot about you. Use Private Browsing.
Digital footprint: stuff you leave behind as you use the internet.
27: Don’t use an account anymore then delete it.
28: keep your system up to date.
29: Noscript (free and open source add-on that allows javascript ,java ,flash plug-ins to be executed only by trusted websites) for firefox allows active content to run only from sites you trust.
30: The small red “Forget Button” in Firefox browser deletes cookies, history.
31: Keep Learning & Teach privacy. Educate people to be safe online.
Password and Login Security:
- Use different password for every site.
- Use password manager for creating and remembering passwords.
- Change your password regularly.
- Use 2-factor authentication (2-step authentication) for login. That is every time to log in to your account you need to use password as well as security code (that is provided by the site for each login).
- Make your answers to the security questions like your password. Otherwise the attacker can try password recovery system by using security questions to reset your password.
- Delete all unused accounts.
- Never share your password with anyone.
Some tips:
- Don’t share your personal information, photos, and videos with any unknown person on the internet.
- Think twice before posting anything on the social media.
- Don’t accept friend request from unknown person.
- Always check privacy settings of your social accounts and applications you are using.
- Don’t respond to fake emails or spam messages and calls.
- Don’t get addicted to internet, mobiles and online gaming.
- Make your Safety and Privacy your Priority.
- Unsubscribe the unwanted newsletters and block the email id if you receive spam mails from them.
- Run Antivirus software.
- Do not enter personal information in popup screen.
- Check your online account and banking statements regularly to ensure no unauthorized transactions have been made.
- Check for senders email id before reading mail.
Care, learn and teach about online privacy.
#privacymatters
#privacyaware
#privacymonth
Vishal started with what is mozilla? and why opensource?
Shubhangi Patil 