Archives - Privacy


Don’t post pics of your boarding pass on Instagram

If you’re taking a plane ride somewhere, you might feel like bragging about it on Instagram by posting a pic of your boarding passes. That’s too risky, though. People who see it can use the codes on it to mess with your airline reservation, or even change your contact information with said airline. Best to […]

Ensure your data is securely encrypted

If you don’t want anyone stealing your personal info, make sure to encrypt your online submission. SSL and https are two encryption methods. You can usually spot them when you see a lock icon on the bottom right corner of the window. Most times, sites will also let you know if your data is encrypted […]

Set clear privacy rules for your social media accounts

Normally, by default, anything you post on social media is viewable to the public. If you don’t want everything you say and do to be made publicly viewable, adjust your privacy settings. You can, for example, make your posts only viewable to people you have listed as your friend. You can set some posts to […]

Consider making your Wi-Fi network private for extra security

By default, your router will automatically make your Wi-Fi network visible. However, you have the option of hiding your network completely if you don’t want unauthorized persons to know it’s there. This would require someone to enter the network’s name to connect to it.

Disable Bluetooth when it’s not being used

Bluetooth can be an exceptionally useful wireless technology when connecting a range of devices including earbuds, microphones or personal vehicles. However, leaving Bluetooth on all the time, especially if you frequent public areas, can be a security risk. Turn it off when you’re not using it, and only turn it back on if you’re sure […]

Be careful of granting sensitive permissions to new apps

Many apps — even well-known ones — ask for a long list of permissions when they’re installed. This can include location data, camera access, your email information, and other potentially sensitive permissions. Be wary of what you grant access: An image-editing app probably doesn’t need access to your emails to function. Note that location data […]