Privacy vs Security in the online world

New technological developments and the rise of the internet allowed many people access to the digital world by making it possible to do so from anywhere and anytime. But, with all its benefits, this has significantly increased the amount of data we have on the internet. From cookies to the browser and device fingerprinting, we leave data behind every time we visit a website. How private or secure is your data online?

What is the difference between privacy and security?

Some people use these terms interchangeably, but there is a difference between them. Privacy is related to your right to control your personal information and how that information is used, while security determines how that personal information is protected.

For example, you can choose to share your data on a social media platform, which is a matter of privacy, while how that platform protects that data is a matter of security. The same applies to signing on the eCommerce site. You are choosing to disclose your data to them to use their services, but it is up to them to keep your data safe, maintaining your privacy and security. If they sell or release your information to a third party, your privacy would be compromised, but not necessarily security. In a successful cyberattack, both your security and privacy have been compromised.

Compromised privacy doesn’t necessarily threaten your online safety, but it remains an essential aspect of it.

Dangers of privacy and security loss

With our growing online presence, more and more of our personal data ends up online. This data is in danger of being compromised by companies selling or sharing it with unauthorized 3rd parties to be used for advertising, political manipulation, or other nefarious purposes. The risk gets even higher on social media, where people reveal various details about them that malicious parties can use. Luckily, they are starting to realize the importance of data privacy. According to the research, 81% of people are more concerned about their social privacy than last year.

The loss of privacy is real, but how does this impact our security? The truth is it leaves us vulnerable to various types of cyberattacks and fraud attempts, such as data breaches and identity fraud. The threat from cybercriminals, hackers, and fraudsters keeps growing with our rising dependence on the internet. While the cyber attacks are nothing new, the truth is that the development of technology has allowed them to step up with their malicious attacks, making them harder to trace and able to affect more people than ever. According to the Telegraph, cyber fraud is currently the fastest-growing category of crime, and it shows no signs of slowing down. But does that mean you have to stop using the internet to remain safe from these threats? Of course not; you just need to take the proper steps to minimize the risk while enjoying your online life.

How can you ensure your privacy and security online?

With our digital footprints growing constantly, it is time to start taking necessary actions to protect ourselves.

1. The first step you need to do is install Antivirus and Firewall programs to protect yourself from various cyber threats. Just remember to keep them up to date, and you will significantly reduce the danger.
2. Practice good password hygiene. More than 80% of data breaches directly resulted from poor passwords, which is why you should never use easily guessable passwords such as your date of birth or even something simple like “123456”. You should also always choose unique and complex passwords for all of your accounts, making it harder for cybercriminals to gain access to different accounts.
3. Reduce the risk of your account data being stolen and used for malicious purposes by not saving credit and debit cards in the system when making online purchases. The truth is that every website is vulnerable to attack. You don’t want to put yourself at unnecessary risk because you need to invest a few more seconds to type in your card details.
4. Be mindful of what you share online and on social media. Most people are not aware of how public the data on social media actually is, and they keep oversharing. This can allow cyber criminals and fraudsters to discover important personal information and use it for their malicious actions. Review your privacy settings on social media sites and think twice before posting something personal.

Cybercriminals and fraudsters keep evolving their methods to exploit as many people as they can reach. Learn how to protect yourself and stay safe online.