How To Ensure Your Privacy Online 

With the increasing availability of low-cost, 3G enabled smartphones – that provide people easy access to apps, social media, blogging websites and faster downloads – in Pakistan, internet privacy has never been a more pressing concern. Remember, your digital keystrokes – including the confidential data you enter for online registrations – can easily become public, and expose you to spam and cyber  crimes in the process.

Therefore, it is advisable to take the following precautions:
* Provide the minimum required information when registering for online services. Review your privacy settings regularly and limit public exposure of your posts and images.

* Turn off geo-tagging when uploading your photographs or when setting your status on social media; this not only makes your location public , it also creates a geographic timeline that can make you a victim of cyber and physical crime. Use free anti-tracking security software (such as Ghostery) to then off web trackers.

* Avoid using your personal phone numbers in official correspondence as e-mails may get forwarded to external servers, and picked up by online marketers through search engines. Furthermore, disable your unused e-mail, blog and social networking accounts to prevent any chances of them being hacked and used for illegal activities.

* Use secure browsers such as WhiteHat Aviation (for Mac and Window) or Tor (for Android-based devices) to ensure safe communication, ward-off surveillance and block cookies and stealth downloads.a. Do not auto save your passwords, leave ur accounts logged in or share personal identification or financial information – such as your CNIC or credit card numbers – when using public computers or shared servers to prevent chances of identity theft.

* Having an up-to-date Anti-virus is no longer sufficient to protect you from cyber threats. Perform weekly scans for malware and use software such as Clean-Up to clear your browser and toolbar usage history Opt for comprehensive digital protection by installing security suites such as NoScript.

By Nizar Diamond Ali

    1. imran abid

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