How to Protect Online Privacy: A-to-Z Guide for Beginners!

‍In this article, I am going to tell you about How to Protect Online Privacy. So if you want to know about it, then keep reading this article. Because I am going to give you complete information about it, so let’s start.

Today’s world is majorly dependent on digital media. Whether buying groceries, paying bills, ordering food, shopping, or doing many more things, you must prefer an online gateway. Also, sharing every moment of your daily routine is another exciting trend on social media. Furthermore, many social media followers like to make friends and bonds via social media, and many outstanding relationships are built on these networking sites. But while enjoying all these features, have you ever wondered: Is Your Online Privacy Secured in Your State? 

You will be surprised to hear that the experts expect that by 2025, cybercrime in the United States will cost $10 trillion. Therefore, you need to know whether your online privacy is secured in your state. Cybercrimes are increasing day by day. So, it’s my top concern to share all the hidden facts on online privacy.

How to Protect Online Privacy

Today’s article focuses on the same, i.e., “How to Protect Online Privacy” The articles entail each bit of information necessary for you to know.

Let’s get started!✨

Is Your Online Privacy Secured in Your State or Not? Find Your State Name

If we talk about the United States, online privacy is completely secured in some regions. However, only some know in which zones or regions your online privacy is assured. According to PIA’s list, 50 servers in 50 different states’ campaigns aim to provide the best online privacy protection to the natives of the United States. 

Therefore, first, find out which areas are good and which are worst in the United States for online privacy. 

Which is the Best State for Online Privacy in the United States?

The natives of California will be happy to hear that California is the winner for online privacy and security. When it comes to online privacy, California easily wins the race. Consumers can easily access their personal information. They can also delete their data. 

Colorado, Utah, Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada, and New York lack little against online data security. But these states are still good for protecting online privacy.

Which States Lacks in Securing Online Privacy in the United States? 

Minnesota, Tennessee, Missouri, Arizona, Idaho, Rhode Island, South Dakota, North Dakota, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Iowa, Montana, Vermont, Oklahoma, Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Ohio, Wyoming, and New Mexico lacks in securing online privacy. These states need to put more effort into bringing protection for Online Privacy. 

Which States Are Putting Nill Efforts Against Securing Online Privacy in the United States?

Oregon, Mississippi, New Jersey, Texas, Hawaii, Kansas, Florida, and Washington are considered the worst states in order to bring protected online privacy norms.

How to Protect Online Privacy?

Several ways will help you protect your privacy online. But you must take care of all the methods and follow them cautiously. To protect your online privacy, you can follow the measures stated below: 

  1. Personal Information Sharing: Do not share your complete personal information online. Try to share less personal and more social information to protect your personal data. Additionally, you can create a throwaway email address.
  2. Strong Passwords: Create strong passwords for your social media accounts, email addresses, Wi-Fi network, online shopping apps, and banking apps. You can use a combination of letters, special characters, and small & caps alphabets to create strong passwords. Remember to use two-factor authentication. 
  3. Privacy Settings: Put strict privacy controls for your social media accounts, like turning off your live locations, and do not opt for the “Public” option for every post. Additionally, reduce your likes, comments, and share for social media posts.
  4. Password Control: Change your online passwords every week. If you cannot change your online passwords frequently, try to change them once every month. 

These three are the significant measures that will help you to protect your privacy online, but other ways can help you to protect your online privacy. Below are more ways to protect your privacy. 

  • Always use a trustworthy source to download any app. 
  • If you don’t want to be tracked, then block search engines.
  • Try to use a secure VPN for browsing online.
  • Remember to update your software.
  • It would help if you disabled your data tracking and ads.
  • Always use encryption to keep your data safe from prying eyes.
  • Ignore unnecessary third-party apps.

The Federal Digital Privacy (FDP) and Security Laws

Online privacy gives you control over your personal information and identity.

Various security organizations under  FDP have created norms for multiple sectors like age group, gender, or industry. Moreover, every social media has to follow for their users’ privacy and information protection. 

I have researched and comprehended all the norms for different authorities for your easy understanding of all the terms and conditions. I will help you understand the other organizations in the below headers.  

HIPAA Security Rule

HIPAA is an abbreviation for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This act is created for national legal protection. The HIPAA created a national standard for the electronic exchange, electronic protected health information (e-PHI), and privacy of e-PHI security.

FTC Act

The Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) Act has enacted information practices to protect online privacy. The FTC site’s privacy practices are:

  1. Customers’ access to delete or correct personal data.
  2. Customers can say how the site uses information.
  3. Parental control over the collection or use of children’s information.
  4. The site safeguards any collected data.

ECP Act

Telephone communications initially use the Electronic Communication Protections (ECP) Act for protection. However, the Electronic Communication Protections Act also contains the Stored Communications Act (SCA), which protects all the subscriber’s records, such as name, IP address, and billing details.

COPP Act

Parents can use or collect their child’s personal information under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection (COPP) Act. COPPA works in the following manner-

  1. When a parent or legal guardian verifies the consent.
  2. When there are responsibilities.
  3. When there is a limit to the amount of online data and forms collected for children under 13.
  4. When there is a requirement for site operators to post privacy policies.

Conclusion:)

Online privacy is essential for everyone who is connected to the internet. Online privacy gives you control over personal information and identity. Without this control, anyone can manipulate or hack your data. In the above section, you can get a detailed list of states that are good for online privacy and the worst for online privacy. Also, you have learned about the different types of laws connected with online privacy.

Is there any region or norm point that I missed? If yes, you can also share your knowledge with us via comments. 

FAQs:)

Is online data privacy important? 

Yes, it is mandatory for online users so that their data, money, and personal information remain protected. 

What is an example of an online privacy issue?

Identity Theft. 

Can making strong passwords protect our data?

Yes, but use a combination of numeric digits, special characters, and small & caps alphabets. 

Is turning off the device’s location a part of online protection? 

Yes, because it stops sharing your live details. 

When was the ECPA adopted?

ECPA was adopted in 1986. 

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