Protecting Your Privacy Online

Overview

More and more of our private information is on the internet these days.  This makes it more vulnerable to misuse and identity theft.

In this presentation, learn a few strategies to start protecting your privacy online.

Topics Included

• Creating strong passwords
• Enabling private browsing
• Installing browser extensions
• Using social media

Creating Strong Passwords

What makes a strong password?

• A minimum of 8 characters
• Use upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters
• Do no reuse the same password for other accounts.
• Make passwords are hard to guess
• Do not use your name, pet names, birth dates, anniversaries, or street names
• People can easily look up this information about you on social media

Storing Passwords

• Do not save passwords to your browser
• Refrain from keeping passwords on a Google Doc or Word
• Try a password manager (LastPass, Bitwarden, Dashlane)
• Write passwords down in a notebook or piece of paper and secure it.
• This is actually more secure than having them somewhere electronically on a laptop, tablet or phone.

Enable Private Browsing

What is private browsing mode?

• When enabled, private browsing mode prevents browsers from keeping a record of searches, websites visited, login details and cookies
• This is helpful when using a public device or whenever you would like to keep your web history private.

How to Enable Private Browsing

Google Chrome

1. Open the Chrome browser.
2. At the top right corner, click the menu icon.
3. Click on “New Incognito Window.”
4. Start browsing privately.

Firefox

1. Open the Firefox browser.
2. At the top right corner, click the menu icon.
3. In the menu, select “New Private Window.”
4. Start browsing privately.

Safari

1. In the Safari app on your Mac, choose Safari > Preferences, then click General.
2. Click the “Safari opens with” pop-up menu, then choose “A new private window.”

Browser Extensions

• Extensions add a specific feature to an existing software application. Extensions are browser specific. So if you’re using Firefox, you need to download the extensions for Firefox.
• While most extensions are junk, some actually help protect your privacy.
• UBlock Origin is a free ad blocker. It will also show who’s tracking you and will prevent websites from collecting user data on browsing habits.

Social Media

• Do not share too much information on social media
• Do not share your address, email address or phone number on your social profile.
• Be wary of sharing your location as well
• Check your privacy settings on social media
• Change your audience on Facebook to “Friends” instead “Public” so only your friends can see your posts and pictures
• Visit this link to change more Facebook settings to private: https://www.lifewire.com/steps-to-make-facebook-private-2654416

Sources

• https://ssd.eff.org/en/module/creating-strong-passwords
• https://www.cnet.com/how-to/strong-passwords-9-rules-to-help-you-make-and-remember-your-login-credentials/
• https://www.cnet.com/how-to/best-password-manager-to-use-for-2020/
• https://www.lifewire.com/steps-to-make-facebook-private-2654416

by Susie, Reference Specialist

Adapted with permission from the Denver Public Library