As our world continues to adapt to digital platforms, different daily routines are becoming more accessible. Product purchases, data transfers, and everyday conversations are now easier through a wide selection of devices and methods. Although this lets people lead more convenient lives, it also leaves them open to leaving vulnerable digital footprints
The importance of maintaining online privacy
Online privacy is a concern for many consumers, with many studies revealing that there aren’t any severe legal ramifications to the business of market data collection. Your online behavior is up for grabs and often sold to different marketing companies for research and market analysis. If you see yourself as a private person, you might want to think twice about who has access to your digital footprints. Thankfully, there are privacy measures for you to keep a low-profile as the world continues to go digital.
If you’re not sure what security measures to start with, we will share three ways to improve your online security.
1. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are becoming a popular method of making internet identity. It allows you to cover your tracks through the VPN service to prevent your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and other websites from tracking your browsing history. Besides protecting your browsing activities, VPNs also allow you to access region-locked content on different platforms.
Although VPNs generally have a reasonable subscription fee, many consumers still opt for free service providers. This is a dangerous practice since these providers can harvest your browsing history data themselves to sustain their platform. It’s essential to look for a credible and secure VPN so that you don’t make the mistake of compromising your online security.
2. Utilize a second phone number
Since smartphones are slowly integrating laptop and desktop functions, it’s now one of the many ways to confirm user identity. Most business transactions require online users to verify their phone numbers to ensure that they aren’t sock puppet accounts. However, you may end up signing your phone to numerous spam texts and newsletters if you aren’t careful.
One viable way to bypass this security measure is to get a second phone number. Instead of buying a new phone account, you can generate a second phone number that separates robocalls and spam from your personal messages. Our app at Mobile SMS gives you a disposable burner phone number to temporarily access any site to protect your online privacy.
3. Be mindful of your GPS
GPS tracking is an excellent way for search queries to give you the best results near your location. It’s a feature that’s necessary for restaurants and taxi-hailing services to operate. Although it comes with plenty of uses, you should be wary of which apps have access to your phone’s GPS.
Whenever you’re using an app, make sure to enable only your device’s access points when necessary. This includes preventing access to GPS, media files, and posting to social media. Sometimes, the convenience of the streamlined access of your phone’s different functions can be a severe risk of leaking data privacy. Turn off your GPS when you don’t need it and double-check if any questionable apps request access on your phone where they don’t need to.
Conclusion
When facing technological advancements, consumers need to be wary of how change doesn’t always mean a safer environment. This is true for all online transactions, from buying form an online store to accessing your tax information through online digital portals. Improving your online security is one of the many precautions that you need to invest in as brands and businesses are slowly dropping analog interactions.
Utilizing modern tools to exercise your right to data privacy is an excellent way to keep your digital footprint to a minimum. If you want an app that provides disposable SMS verification when accessing different sites, download our app today!