You know when you talk about something to a friend, and then an ad for that exact thing pops out a few hours later? What a coincidence. Well, this is 2024. Even your toaster might be eavesdropping. Jokes aside, privacy is something we will never completely have anymore, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take some steps to protect what’s left of it.
Use Common Sense
In other words, think before you click. We may laugh at the “Nigerian prince” emails, but back in the day they scammed people left and right. Phishing scams have evolved since then. Now they look like real emails from your bank, or even a friend sending you an “urgent” message. Always double-check the sender’s email address and think twice before clicking. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Don’t Overshare
This can also be considered common sense. If you’re on holiday, maybe don’t spam your friends with tens of social media posts. Someone with ill intentions will not care about your abs, but will care that you’re not home. Every time you post online, you’re handing over little nuggets of personal information. Even when you’re just posting that adorable dog pic, platforms can infer more about you than you’d expect. Like, your location. Or your favorite coffee shop. It wasn’t once that someone got their home invaded because of a foolish social media post.
Use 2FA. Always
Two-Factor Authentication is when passwords are no longer enough. And these days, it’s probably most of the time. Even if you’ve upgraded your password from 12345 (come on) to something better, adding two-factor authentication gives you an extra layer of protection. It’s like the double locks on your apartment. With 2FA enabled, even if someone knows your password, they still won’t be able to get in. They hit a wall because they also need the code sent to your phone. Score one for you! In 2024, there’s no excuse not to use 2FA. It’s simple, effective, and could save you a lot of headaches.
Use VPNs When Necessary
Those NordVPN commercials seem to be everywhere at one point, and no matter how annoying, they just proved how popular and necessary VPNs have become. If you’re often browsing on public Wi-Fi, do yourself a favor and use a VPN. If you’re traveling, or just sitting in a café, using their Wi-Fi, VPN is one of the easiest ways to stay safe. Some browsers like Opera even have them integrated for free. And it’s not always just about safety when it comes to VPNs.
Sometimes, services are locked for certain geolocations. If someone from Europe would want to play the Plinko game India, perhaps it wouldn’t be possible without a VPN. So in this case, VPN not only allows access to the game, it also protects the privacy of the player at the same time.
Don’t Trust Every App, Even if Its on Google Play or App Store
2024 is the year of shiny new apps promising to revolutionize everything from grocery shopping to meditation. But not all that glitters is gold, as they say. Some apps, especially lesser-known ones, are just data traps disguised as productivity tools. Before you download the next “must-have” app, take a moment to read the privacy policy no matter how boring it is. Or at least, do a quick search to see if it’s trustworthy.
Audit Permissions Regularly
Now here’s something that often goes overlooked, and that’s app permissions. We all do it: download an app, and mindlessly click “allow” when it asks for access to your microphone, camera, contacts, and possibly your soul. But do you ever wonder why a weather app needs access to your photos? Every few months, take the time to go through your phone and review what permissions you’ve granted to different apps. You might be surprised at how much access you’ve given without a second thought.
In the end, protecting your privacy in 2024 is not much different than it was in previous years. It’s always about being aware, staying informed, and making choices that feel right. Whether it’s using a VPN, limiting what you share on social media, or keeping your apps in check, these small steps can ultimately make a big difference.