5 of the Best Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online

Corey’s Computing is your reliable source for Winnipeg tablet repair, laptop repair, computer repair, and more. Contact us and learn about how our Support Heroes can help you choose the right used laptop to suit your needs, or offer professional security maintenance on your system to keep your information safe.

If you think you have nothing to hide from hackers, think again.

Even the most average PC user has information that they would rather not fall into the hands of hackers and scammers, including their banking information, passwords, credit card numbers, and even their identities. Not just that, but installing apps and games on your mobile phone can give governments and businesses access into personal information like your photos, camera, physical location, and more.

What can you do to protect yourself and stay secure online? Below are our top 5 suggestions for protecting your privacy:

1. Be Careful About the Apps You Install

Many popular photo-sharing apps such as Instagram and Snapchat require access to your phone’s camera and data in order to post on your behalf, but it’s important to read each user license agreement carefully in order to understand what each app company wants access on your mobile device.

Recently the app Meitu, which turned selfies into anime-style photos using a filter, came under fire for the unrestricted access that it requested from users who installed the app. The simple app required users to allow almost unlimited access to all of the information available on their phones.

2. Keep Your Apps Up to Date

Whether you’re using apps on your mobile phone or on your laptop, tablet, or desktop PC, keeping all of your devices and apps up to date will help reduce the likelihood that a hacker can access your information because your software was not up-to-date.

This is particularly important when it comes to updating the software on your devices, because inconsistencies between different updates to various versions of Windows and even iOS can create cracks in your security which may be taken advantage of by hackers. For example, if your Android phone has not been updated to the latest version of Nugat, but some of the apps you use have already been updated to be compatible with the new update, then you may be putting your information at risk.

3. Use Ad Blockers and Antivirus Software

Ad blockers are still one of the best lines of defence against ads from installing cookies and malware which may allow hackers to create a “backdoor” which will allow them to access your data without your knowledge or consent.

Installing antivirus software is essential for protecting your information and preventing ads, pop-ups, and scammers from gaining access to your data, and we recommend running virus scans on a regular basis to detect, identify, and eliminate harmful programs and malware from your devices. We offer a variety of great, affordable antivirus software options to help keep your information secure.

4. Don’t Connect to Public Hotspots

If you use a public network like a wifi hotspot at a coffee shop, then be extremely careful what you do and which websites you visit.

Never, ever do any business-related work, banking, or log into accounts which contain sensitive personal information, such as your credit card number, while using a public wifi hotspot. You never know who else may be logged in, and who else may be monitoring your activity to see if they can steal your information.

If you must use a public wifi network, act as though a stranger were standing over your shoulder and watching everything you do.

5. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication is an additional layer of protection for your personal accounts and information. Once you’ve set up two-factor authentication, a code will be send to your mobile phone to make sure that the person who is entering your password is actually you. This prevents hackers from taking over and controlling your accounts, and is recommended by reputable websites like CNET.

If you’re not sure how to enable two-factor authentication, just visit our store and ask one of our Support Heroes for help. We also offer an exclusive Internet Security and Maintenance Program which includes a variety of ways that we can help eliminate the stress and to-dos which are necessary for keeping your information safe.

Corey’s Computing is dedicated to providing internet security and protection to all of our customers in Winnipeg. Stay in touch with us by signing up for our monthly newsletter and take advantage of our deals on used laptops, security maintenance, and more.