Simple Steps to Consider for Privacy
Roseville, Calif. – In the age of artificial intelligence, the Internet and surveillance of all kinds, the challenges to retaining some level of privacy can seem daunting. However, there are some basic steps you can take to limit data collection and tracking by implementing a few layers of security and privacy.
Surprisingly, and much out of necessity, Internet users in repressive countries often a have a better grasp of security and privacy practices than their U.S. counterparts out of necessity.
6 Tips for Privacy and Security
1- VPN: Virtual Private Networks
A critical component for all users, a VPN done right encrypts your traffic and reroutes it through a network of servers to limit companies and ISP's ability to track you.
Consider choosing a VPN that retains no logs, has a proven track record and doesn't require any personal info for logging in.
Pros
Price: Inexpensive
Setup: Easy
Value: Encrypts data over the Internet adding an essential layer of privacy
Connect from countries and cities around the globe
Cons: Many government sites and large corporations don't appreciate your privacy and actively work to block access coming from VPN's.
Regular sites you visit may prompt with 2-factor authentication as they can no longer easily identify you.
The privacy gains far outstrip the minor inconveniences.
2- AI Searches
Ranked Best– Microsoft Copilot currently is highly ranked for collecting minimal data and offers easy opt-out on memory and training use of your data.
Mistal AI is another highly ranked for minimal data collection and transparency
Ranked Worst: Meta (Facebook) is considered the most invasive at collection and tracking.
Google and ChatGPT also currently rank at the bottom for data collection and tracking.
Locally run AI currently remains the best option to avoid and minimize data collection.
3- Alternative Web Browsers
The most popular web browsers are built by companies who are in the business of profiting from collecting, sharing or selling your data and habits. Consider these alternatives.
Brave: As far as browsers go, it's focus is built around privacy. Helps block ads, traffic trackers, 3rd party cookies, scripts while forcing encrypted connections. It has continuously improved at blocking more advanced fingerprinting techniques mentioned below. A very solid choice.
Firefox: Always competitive, Firefox is fast and works as well. It's free and widely considered more secure than those big name browsers designed to collect your data.
TOR: Now based on Firefox, this much improved browser offers anti-fingerprinting protections, encrypted nodes, onion routing, isolation and government censorship firewalls.
4- Search Engines
The granddaddy of personal data collection. Well known companies collecting vast swaths of your personal info for an assortment of uses.
Consider an Alternative: DuckDuckGo. What's not to love about a policy of not tracking or collecting any personal information when you search.
Pros: One of the easiest methods to limit personal data collection.
Cons: While not as comprehensive as other search behemoths, you may find it works perfectly for most, if not all of your search needs.
5- Fingerprinting Techniques that bypass VPN
- – Canvas Fingerprinting: Uses hidden images rendered by your browser to generate a unique ID.
- – WebGL Fingerprinting: Extracts information from your graphics card and drivers.
- – Audio Fingerprinting: Analyzes how your device processes sound.
- – Font Enumeration: Detects installed fonts to narrow down your identity.
- – Browser fingerprinting
- Learn how to stop some of these tracking techniques.
- SEE WHAT YOUR DEVICE IS EXPOSING: https://coveryourtracks.eff.org
6- Encrypt Your Data
This used to be a much more complex process. Over time, utilities have greatly improved and encryption utilities often ship with newer hard drives. Other downloadable encryption programs can help guide you through the process. On phones, the process can be as easy as a few clicks.
If your computer or phone is stolen or compromised, it's data is inaccessible to the perpetrator. Always be sure to backup your data and test your ability to restore.
TIP: Clone your entire system regularly and store encrypted backups in a safe deposit box.
Your Privacy
Your privacy is under constant siege. When it comes to personal data, many corporations and other entities have a long tradition of questionable practices. They often rely, depend and profit on our ignorance or willingness to trade privacy for convenience. A few simple steps you can employ in your digital life, can slow or prohibit part of that process.