Digital Privacy: Protect Your Personal Data in the Connected Age
In mid-2023, Laura, a freelance designer, noticed unauthorized charges on her bank account. What began as a suspicion turned out to be a case of identity theft. The cause: she had accessed an unprotected public Wi-Fi network. This sadly common story reflects the growing risk we are all exposed to in the digital world.
Today, our personal information isn't just in the hands of social media or banks. Every search, every click, and every download leaves a trail: your digital footprint. And that footprint can be used by companies to target ads, but also by hackers for much more dangerous purposes.
Digital privacy is the right we have to control how our personal information is collected, used, and shared online. In a hyperconnected world, where we depend on apps, networks, and smart devices, protecting our information is as important as locking our front door at night.
The dangers don't always come from experienced cybercriminals. Many users fall prey to data breaches through everyday practices such as:
- Using the same password on multiple services.
- Connect to public Wi-Fi networks without a VPN.
- Accept cookies without checking settings.
- Sharing sensitive information on social networks.
- Use strong and distinct passwords. Use password managers to avoid repeating them.
- Enable two-step verification. This adds an extra layer of security.
- Review your app permissions. Many access your location, microphone, or contacts unnecessarily.
- Install a reliable VPN. Especially if you're browsing away from home.
- Turn off geolocation. Unless absolutely necessary, prevent your movements from being tracked.
- Keep your software up to date. Patches address exploitable vulnerabilities.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can reveal much more about you than you might imagine. Every post, reaction, or comment can be analyzed to create a profile of you. Set your profiles to private, limit who can see your content, and avoid posting personal details like your phone number, location, or daily routines.
Beyond tools and settings, the true defense against digital threats is knowledge. Learning about cybersecurity, teaching our children about online risks, and staying informed is key to safe browsing.
Digital privacy isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. Like Laura, many don't realize it until it's too late. But with simple habits and conscious decisions, we can regain control of our digital lives and avoid serious consequences.
Sleeping peacefully depends not only on closing the physical door, but also the virtual one.
La Verdad Yucatán
