Protecting Yourself in the Digital Age. Send this to a friend...

Hi there, Friend

I wanted to reach out and talk to you about an important topic that I think is often overlooked: personal privacy and security online. With the rise of the internet and social media, we've become increasingly connected to one another and the world around us, but with that comes a whole host of risks that we need to be aware of. In this post, I'll be going over some of the most pressing threats to your personal privacy and security online, as well as providing some recommendations for how you can better protect yourself.

One of the biggest threats to personal privacy online is the rise of surveillance capitalism. This is a term coined by Harvard Business School professor Shoshana Zuboff to describe the way in which companies like Google and Facebook are able to collect vast amounts of data about their users and use it to create targeted advertising. This means that companies are able to track your every move online and use that information to build a detailed profile of you that they can then use to sell you products and services. The problem with this is that it's not just companies that have access to this data - governments, hackers, and other malicious actors do too.

Another major threat to personal privacy and security online is the rise of fake news and deepfake videos. With the ease of access to powerful video editing software, it's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and fake videos. This means that people can create videos that look and sound like real news, but are actually propaganda or disinformation. This can have serious consequences for democracy and for individuals, as it can lead to the spread of false information and even incite violence.

So, what can you do to protect yourself? One of the most important things you can do is to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect your personal information. This includes being careful about what you share online, using strong passwords, and being vigilant about phishing scams. Additionally, you should use a VPN when accessing the internet on public Wi-Fi, this will encrypt all your data and making it harder for hackers to steal your information.

Another thing you can do is to be more selective about the apps and websites you use. Many apps and websites will ask for permissions to access your personal information, but you don't have to give them all. Be sure to read the privacy policy and terms of service for each app and website you use, and only give them the permissions they need to function.

Finally, you should also be aware of your digital footprint. This is the trail of data that you leave behind when you use the internet, and it can be used to build a detailed profile of you. You can reduce your digital footprint by deleting old social media accounts, being more selective about what you post online, and using privacy-focused browsers like Tor.

In conclusion, protecting your personal privacy and security online is more important than ever. With the rise of surveillance capitalism, fake news, and deepfake videos, it's crucial that we all take steps to protect ourselves. Remember to be aware of the risks, take steps to protect your personal information, and be selective about the apps and websites you use.

Links:

Surveillance Capitalism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIXhnWUmMvw&ab_channel=VPRO

How to protect your personal information: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0003-phishing

Protecting your digital footprint: https://www.privacyrights.org/privacy-rights-clearinghouse-digital-footprint

Best, Your Friend.