Simple Ways to Keep Your Online Life Private

1. Use Strong Passwords

Weak passwords are one of the biggest causes of account breaches. Take the recent heist at the Louvre museum. The security system password was, unbelievably, Louvre.  

You need to use long, unique passwords for every account. Ideally, they should be 12 characters or more. A combination of letters, numbers, and symbols makes it harder for attackers to guess. 

Password managers are a great tool if you’re unable to remember lots of different passwords. They can generate and store complex passwords securely. You’ll just need to make sure the master password for your password manager is strong, though, and never used elsewhere.

2. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Even the strongest password can be compromised. For extra protection, set up two-factor authentication. 2FA adds an extra step. This could be a text message code, app prompt, or hardware key.

If someone steals or works out your password, 2FA means they’ll still need the second verification step to access your account. If it’s a text message, for example, they’d have to have access to your phone too, which is very unlikely. Most major platforms like Google, Facebook, and Apple offer 2FA. It’s one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your online life.

3. Review Privacy Settings Regularly

Social networks, browsers, and apps will often share more than you realize. You should check your privacy settings at least once a year. Limit who can see your posts. Check and limit people who can see your location and contact details. 

Many platforms default to public visibility. This means anyone can view what you share. If you adjust your settings, you’ll be able to control it so that only friends, family, or selected groups can access your personal content. 

4. Browse Safely. Block Trackers

Cookies, ad networks, and analytics tools constantly track browsing behaviour. To stop unwanted tracking, install privacy-focused browser extensions that block third-party cookies and hidden trackers.

A VPN Chrome extension takes things further. It’s one of the easiest tools for securing your browsing. This will route your web traffic through an encrypted tunnel. It means you’re protected from snoopers, public Wi-Fi threats, and data collection.

With a fast VPN extension, you can activate privacy protection in one single click. Instantly, your online sessions are private, your IP address is hidden, and your real location can’t be tracked by any websites.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping online, logging onto social media, or using Wi-Fi in a café, a VPN extension is an immediate layer of security that won’t slow you down.

5. Protect Your Email Accounts

Email is a common entry point for phishing attacks. If you see an email with a link or an attachment, always check the sender’s address. I’ve seen some clever ones recently that look like they’re from Microsoft, when really, they’re from rnicr0soft. The font is written in such a way that it looks like a genuine sender.

Also, never share login details via email. If you need to send sensitive information for work or personal reasons, consider using encrypted email services. 

6. Shop Online Securely

Most of us shop online regularly. But before you enter any payment details, make a few key checks. Firstly, make sure the website is using the HTTPS protocol. You should see this and a padlock icon in the address bar. Next, avoid shopping on a public Wi-Fi network (unless you’re connected through a VPN Chrome extension or another secure proxy). 

Finally, stick to trusted retailers. But be aware—watch for subtle errors in URLs. These are common signs of fake or cloned sites that are designed to steal your payment details. 

7. Limit What You Share on Social Media

It’s tempting to post every life update. It can even be addictive to do so. But oversharing can expose you to scams or identity theft. Avoid posting personal information like your address, travel plans, or financial details. 

Regularly review your friend lists and remove unknown contacts. When in doubt, assume anything shared publicly could be seen by anyone.

Final Thoughts

Digital privacy isn’t about hiding. It’s about staying in control. The tools are simple, the habits take minutes to adopt, and together they form a powerful defense against online threats.