Security & Safety Resource Center

When you open a maps app for directions, you probably don’t think about what data you’re giving away—or who gets to keep it. Most major mapping platforms collect a surprising amount of location data, app activity, and search history, often linking it to your personal profile. But if you want accurate directions without the tracking, there’s a great privacy‑friendly option: OpenStreetMap.

OpenStreetMap (often called OSM) is a community-driven, nonprofit mapping platform that puts users—not advertisers—at the center. If you want modern navigation while keeping your data private, this is one of the best tools you can use.

Let’s explore why.

What Makes OpenStreetMap Different?

Unlike big commercial map apps, OpenStreetMap is:

Open-source and community-built

OpenStreetMap is updated by volunteers and everyday users from all over the world. Anyone can create a free account to add missing roads, upload photos, fix errors, and improve map accuracy. It’s essentially the “Wikipedia of maps”—built by people who know their local areas best.

Privacy-first by design

Here’s the best part: you don’t need to log in to use it.
You can browse maps, get directions, and explore locations without tying any of your activity to a personal account.

OSM collects some limited technical data (like basic logs), but none of it is linked to user profiles. No tracking. No ad targeting. No behavioral analysis.

100% ad‑free

OpenStreetMap doesn’t run ads—because it doesn’t need to. It’s nonprofit, supported by donations, grants, and volunteer work. That means no annoying pop-ups or sponsored pins and no incentive to collect more of your data than necessary.

Why Privacy Matters in Navigation Apps

Location data is some of the most sensitive information you can share. It can reveal:

• Your home and work addresses
• Your daily routines
• Your medical visits
• Your personal interests
• Where you’ve been, at what time, and how often

Large commercial map services often store this data, link it to your profile, and use it for advertising—even long after the trip is done.

With OpenStreetMap, your navigation stays your business, not a data broker’s.

How to Use OpenStreetMap for Directions

You can access OSM in a few different ways:

• Directly through openstreetmap.org — works great in any browser
• Through third‑party map apps that use OSM data, such as OsmAnd, Organic Maps, and Maps.me
• On desktop or mobile without logging in

These apps typically respect user privacy more than mainstream options, and many allow full offline maps—another win for privacy and security.

You Can Give Back—If You Want

If you’re passionate about accurate maps or love your local community, you can help improve OSM by:

• Fixing incorrect road names
• Adding missing trails, bike paths, or buildings
• Uploading notes or images
• Marking accessibility features (ramps, sidewalks, entrances)

But again—you never have to create an account to simply use the map or get directions.

If you want accurate maps without sacrificing your privacy, OpenStreetMap is one of the best tools available. It’s open, transparent, ad‑free, and built for users—not advertisers. Whether you’re checking a new restaurant, exploring a trail, or planning a trip, OSM keeps your data safe while giving you the navigation tools you need.

Give it a try—and enjoy staying private while you travel.

Online shopping is easier than ever—but that convenience also opens the door to delivery scams, fraudulent vendors, and mystery charges. One of the simplest ways to stay safe is by keeping an eye on your tracking information after placing an order. It’s a small habit that can save you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration.

Let’s break down why tracking matters, what to watch for, and what to do if something seems off.

Tracking Should Arrive—Here’s When to Expect It

Legitimate vendors almost always send tracking details as soon as your order ships. That email or text usually includes:

• A tracking number
• The shipping carrier
• An estimated arrival date
• A link to follow your package’s journey

If the seller gives you a shipping window—say “ships in 1–3 business days”—you should expect tracking information soon after that timeframe.

A Missing Tracking Number Can Be a Red Flag

If several days pass beyond the promised shipping window and you still haven’t received tracking details, don’t ignore it. This can mean:

• The item hasn’t shipped
• The seller is experiencing delays
• The vendor may not be legitimate

Scammers often rely on buyers being too busy to notice the missing tracking information until it’s too late.

Contact the Vendor First

Before assuming the worst, reach out directly. A reputable company should:

• Respond promptly
• Explain the delay
• Provide updated tracking information

If they don’t reply after multiple attempts—or their response feels generic, evasive, or suspicious—it’s time to take the next step.

If You Hear Nothing Back, Protect Yourself

Silence from a vendor is a serious warning sign. It may indicate:

• A fraudulent online shop
• A seller who never intended to ship anything
• A compromised or abandoned storefront

At this point, call your bank or credit card company. Most issuers offer strong buyer protections, especially for credit card purchases. They can:

• Put the charge on hold
• Investigate the transaction
• Reverse the charge if the vendor is fraudulent

This is one major reason why online safety experts recommend using credit cards—not debit cards—for online purchases. Credit cards offer better fraud protection and shield your actual money while a dispute is investigated.

Keep Copies of Everything

To help your bank resolve the issue quickly, save:

• Order confirmations
• Emails from the vendor
• Screenshots of the product listing
• Any tracking info (or lack thereof)
• Notes from your attempts to contact the seller

The more documentation you provide, the smoother the investigation.

Prevention Tips for Future Orders

A few smart habits can prevent most online shopping headaches:

• Stick to trusted retailers or marketplaces
• Search for the store’s reviews and ratings before purchasing
• Verify that websites use HTTPS
• Be skeptical of prices that seem “too good to be true”
• Use a credit card or virtual card number

Tracking information isn’t just about excitement for your package—it’s a critical security checkpoint. If a vendor doesn’t send tracking on time, doesn’t communicate, or goes silent, act fast and get your bank involved. It’s one of the quickest ways to stop fraud before it costs you.

Online shopping is fast, convenient, and—let’s be honest—addictively easy. But as smooth as the checkout process has become, it also comes with risks. When you’re paying online, the type of card you use matters more than you think. And if you want to stay safe, one rule stands above the rest:

👉 Always use a credit card—not a debit card—for online purchases.

Let’s break down why this simple habit offers major protection for your money and your identity.

Credit Cards Shield Your Money—Debit Cards Don’t

When you pay with a credit card, you’re not giving the vendor direct access to your bank account. Instead, your credit card company pays the vendor first. At the end of the month, they bill you for those purchases.

That extra step creates a powerful security barrier between scammers and your actual funds.

But when you pay with a debit card, the money comes straight out of your checking account. If something goes wrong—a fraudulent vendor, a hacked website, or a shady charge—your money is already gone.

Credit Cards Offer Strong Fraud Protection

Here’s the good news: credit card companies have robust fraud‑protection systems and are legally required to investigate unauthorized charges. Most will reverse suspicious transactions quickly and with minimal hassle.

With debit cards, the process can be slower and more painful. Banks may freeze your account, leaving you without access to your own money while they investigate.

Using a credit card dramatically reduces the financial fallout if your information gets stolen.

Chargebacks Are Your Secret Weapon

Ever ordered something online that never arrived?

Or received a totally different item than advertised?

When you use a credit card, you can file a chargeback, and the credit card issuer steps in to help resolve the dispute.

Debit card disputes exist, but the process is often slower, and resolutions aren’t always guaranteed. Credit card issuers tend to take customer protection more seriously because they are on the hook—not your bank account.

Better Fraud Monitoring = Earlier Detection

Credit card networks use sophisticated algorithms to spot unusual activity. If something looks suspicious, they can instantly freeze your card or notify you. These systems are incredibly fast and accurate.

Debit cards often lack that real‑time protection.

Why It Matters More Today Than Ever

Cybercriminals regularly target online shoppers because:

• Checkout pages store sensitive data
• Fake websites mimic real stores
• Phishing emails imitate shipping updates
• Data breaches happen constantly

Using a credit card doesn’t eliminate the risk, but it minimizes the damage dramatically.

It’s one of the easiest cybersecurity upgrades you can make.

Smart Shopping Tip: Use a Virtual Card Number

Many credit card providers now offer virtual card numbers for online purchases. These one‑time or single‑merchant numbers add another layer of protection—making your real card number invisible to attackers.

If your provider offers it, use it.

Credit Cards Keep You Safer

You don’t need to change your shopping habits—just your payment method.
A credit card acts as a buffer, giving you:

• Better fraud protection
• Stronger dispute options
• Greater financial safety
• Less stress if something goes wrong

So the next time you’re filling up that online cart, remember: Use a credit card. Protect your money. Shop with confidence.

When you think of tracking, you probably think of browser cookies. But here’s the catch: mobile apps don’t rely on traditional cookies. Instead, many advertising and analytics companies use device-based identifiers to follow your activity across apps on the same phone or tablet. Two of the most common are Apple’s Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA) and Google’s Advertising ID (AAID/GAID). Together, they help companies measure engagement, attribute ad campaigns, and build ad profiles—often without you ever touching a browser.

How App Tracking Works in Plain English

• Unique device IDs: Your phone provides a resettable ad ID (like IDFA or GAID). It’s not your name, but it is unique enough to recognize your device over time.
• SDKs inside apps: Many apps include third‑party software development kits (SDKs) for analytics, ads, crash reporting, and personalization. These SDKs read the ad ID and send usage events (e.g., “opened app,” “clicked button,” “made purchase”) back to the provider.
• Cross‑app stitching: Because the same ad ID can appear in multiple apps, advertising networks can connect behavior across different apps on your device and build a richer profile (interests, likely demographics, purchase intent).
• Attribution & targeting: Marketers use this data to decide which ads to show you and to measure whether an ad led to an app install or purchase.

Is This the Same as Cookies?

Not exactly. Cookies live in your browser and can be cleared. App tracking relies on system‑level identifiers that work outside the browser. That’s why deleting cookies won’t stop app tracking. The good news? Both iOS and Android give you controls to limit or reset these identifiers.

Your Controls on iOS (iPhone/iPad)

• App Tracking Transparency (ATT): Since iOS 14.5, apps must ask permission to “track you across other companies’ apps and websites.” If you tap “Ask App Not to Track,” the app can’t access your IDFA for cross‑app tracking.
• Turn off tracking globally: Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking and toggle off “Allow Apps to Request to Track.”
• Reset or limit ad personalization: In Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising, disable personalized ads.
• Review app permissions: In Settings → Privacy & Security, audit Location, Contacts, Photos, Bluetooth, Local Network—excess access can increase your data exhaust.

Your Controls on Android

• Opt out of Ads Personalization: Go to Settings → Privacy → Ads (path varies by device) and Opt out of ad personalization.
• Reset or delete the Advertising ID: In the same Ads screen, Reset or Delete Advertising ID so apps can’t continue using the old identifier.
• Permissions check‑up: In Settings → Privacy → Permission manager, review Location, Phone, Contacts, Storage and turn off what isn’t essential.
• Limit background data: In Settings → Network & internet → Data usage, restrict background data for apps that don’t need it.

Smart Habits to Reduce Tracking

• Be picky with installs: Fewer apps = fewer SDKs tracking you.
• Sign in only when needed: Using sign‑in across many apps can tie activity back to your account.
• Use privacy‑focused alternatives: Some apps (and browsers with strong anti‑tracking) collect less by design.
• Read the privacy labels/policies: Check what data the app collects (location, identifiers, usage data) before installing.
• Keep OS and apps updated: Platforms continue to tighten privacy—updates bring better controls.

Mobile app tracking relies on device identifiers—not cookies—to link behavior across apps. The silver lining: you have real controls. Take five minutes today to review your tracking permissions, reset your ad ID, and uninstall what you don’t use. You’ll still enjoy your favorite apps—just with more privacy and less profiling.