You know, one of the worst feelings in the world is when you get that eerie feeling that someone is spying on you. It makes me very anxious, both in real life and online. Seriously, who wants to be watched without their permission?
That’s why it’s important for us to be proactive and take all necessary steps to protect ourselves.
Here are my top 10 tips for keeping information away from creepy spies.
1. Use good antivirus software
Photo of a woman with a spy behind her (Cyberguy.com)
You hear me talk about this a lot, and for good reason. One of the best ways to protect yourself from espionage is to antivirus protection Installed on all devices. Having good antivirus software actively running on your device can make it more resilient to the growing number of attacks. This is great for stopping and alerting you to malware in your system, warning you not to click on malicious links in phishing emails, and ultimately protecting you from hacking.
2. Remove yourself from the internet
Personal data can be exposed online in a variety of ways, including data breaches, data scraping, hackers, websites, platforms, or data sharing on the dark web. This can put your privacy and security at risk. No service promises to remove all data from the Internet, but if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of continuously removing information from hundreds of sites over time, a removal service is a good option. is the best. That way, the chances of deletion are greatly reduced. That someone can keep an eye on you at all times.
See tips and best choices for removing personal information from the internet.
Temu app on your phone (Tem)
3. Avoid using apps like Temu
Certain easily available apps are designed to monitor you and collect personal data. China-based app Temu and its sister app Pinduoduo Found to be collecting sensitive information about userslocation tracking, contact records, browsing history, and other personal information.
before downloading the app, be sure to read the privacy policy, or at least search for the app name and the word “privacy.” Look through reviews and ratings to make sure they come from genuine and official sources like the App Store and Google Play Store. Never post links to download apps from emails or text messages. These links often cause problems that compromise security.
Read more: Shocking truth revealed about popular apps with ties to China
4. Use a VPN
To protect yourself from prying eyes who can track you and determine your potential location on the websites you visit, consider using a VPN. Depending on your privacy settings, many sites can read your IP address and may show you the city you are communicating with. A VPN spoofs your IP address and displays a different location.
5. Use a webcam cover
You know those little cameras that are built into every device? Or maybe an external webcam that you connect to your computer? Once your device is compromised, hackers can gain access to your device. webcam To monitor you and learn your confidential information. Covering your webcam with simple electrical tape or using a physical camera cover is an easy and inexpensive way to manage your privacy and gain some peace of mind.
Think of it like closing the curtains on a window.Why should anyone be given the chance to see what you’re up to in the comfort of your own home? It’s that simple suggestion For everyone who can prevent massive problems.
More information: Is someone watching you through your hacked webcam? 7 Red Flags
6. Use strong passwords
create strong password Tailor your passwords to your accounts and devices, and don’t use the same password for multiple online accounts. Please consider using . password manager Rather than relying on a single password, securely store and generate complex passwords that could be at risk if stolen. It helps you create unique, hard-to-crack passwords that hackers can never guess.
Plus, it keeps track of all your passwords in one place and enters them for you when you log into your account, so you don’t have to remember them yourself. The fewer passwords you remember, the less likely you are to reuse them on your account.
webcam cover for computer (Cyberguy.com)
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7. Use two-factor authentication
have two-factor authentication This is just another way to keep spies out of your account. If someone guesses your password, two-factor authentication becomes another barrier to overcome. This causes many hackers to give up on their attempts and creates a major setback for the remaining hackers who still try to break into your account.
Many devices offer two-factor authentication, typically used in either SMS text messaging systems, authentication apps, or fingerprint or facial scans, making it nearly impossible for hackers to circumvent this.If you don’t have it two-factor authentication If you already have it installed on your device, we highly recommend that you consider it.
More information: What is two-factor authentication? Should I enable it?
8. Double-check your camera and microphone settings
Smartphones, tablets, and computers require both the camera and microphone to have adjustable settings. People often don’t realize that every app on their device has its own set of permissions, so they may be giving access to their camera and microphone to apps they don’t want them to have access to. These settings can be easily changed, so be sure to only grant camera and microphone permissions when absolutely necessary to avoid prying eyes. There are different ways to manage your phone’s camera and microphone permissions, depending on the app you’re using.
How to adjust your microphone or camera using a third-party app For iPhone
- go to setting
- Then scroll down and Privacy and security tap on it
- Then go to microphone or camera Toggle the switch next to the app name to grant or revoke access
How to adjust microphone or camera permissions using Safari on iPhone
- go to setting
- Then click safari
- Then scroll down to where you see Website settings and tap on one camera or microphone Select Ask or Decline for each option
How to adjust microphone or camera permissions for all apps on android
- Open settings app
- Tap app
- Please look for app Select it if you want to change permissions
- Tap authority
- then click camera and microphone and tap do not allow
How to fight back against debit card hackers after your money
How to adjust microphone or camera settings using Chrome on Android
- open Chrome app Tap three points at the top right of the screen
- go to setting tap on it
- Scroll down and Site settings tap on it
- Then go to microphone or camera
- after that, switch off Turn off the microphone or camera for each site
How to adjust microphone or camera settings using Firefox on Android
open Firefox app
- Then tap menu, These are the three dots at the bottom right of the screen.
- Scroll down and tap setting
- then click Site permissions
- Then click on one. camera or microphone Tap to block access to each site
More information: Is your own device accidentally spying on you?
9. Lock the screen
If you want to protect yourself from prying eyes physically peeking over your shoulder, which happens more often than you might think, locking your screen is the best way to protect yourself.
You can create a passcode for your smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can also enable a fingerprint or Face ID lock on some devices to prevent prying eyes from guessing your number passcode.
Click here for detailed instructions on locking your screen device.
two-factor authentication (Cyberguy.com)
Learn more: How to prevent prying eyes from viewing your device with the privacy screen
10. Turn off location information
Location settings are an important way for hackers and spies to monitor you. The last thing you want is for strangers to know where you’ve been or where you’re going. Especially on smartphones that you carry with you everywhere, turning off location services completely or restricting them can help prevent hackers from getting access to that information.
However, before you turn off location sharing for all devices on your device, you should understand the consequences of doing so. This is because several applications use location services, including location-based apps such as maps, navigation, photos, weather, and fitness apps. Your browser also uses your location to provide you with relevant search results. Additionally, turning off location sharing may impact emergency services. In fact, your location may not be automatically shared with emergency services, which could delay response times or make it harder for emergency personnel to find you.
Cart important points
These hackers and spies will do anything to get information from you, so we all need to be vigilant when it comes to protecting your privacy. I know this may seem scary. However, if you take the proper precautions and stay alert at all times, you can enjoy safe and enjoyable surfing the web.
What scares you most about online privacy? Do you have a specific concern you’d like us to address? Email us. Cyberguy.com/Contact
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