It has become crucial to consider the value of protecting our privacy from invasion in the age of "social media" and the digital revolution. When we talk about internet privacy, we're referring to the individual's right to have his personal information and data protected when utilizing the web and software programs. This includes our name, address, phone number, email, financial information, and everything related to our daily activities.

Individuals can now regulate who has access to their personal information and how it is used under international law. Protecting our privacy is more vital than ever in today's digital age, and with the extensive use of technology and the Internet, our personal information is continually gathered, shared, and stored by the vast majority of apps and websites we visit. This can result in a loss of control over our data, as well as identity theft, financial fraud, and other sorts of abuse.

We must understand how our personal data is gathered and handled in order to preserve our privacy. This entails being aware of the privacy policies of the websites and applications we use, as well as being cautious when sharing information online.

For instance, some applications display their permissions to users when they download the application, but regrettably, many users fail to read these permissions, putting them at risk of hacking or data collection. Similarly, the vast majority of users fail to read the "Privacy Policy" when registering for a particular service, and they indicate approval without understanding its contents.

Protection tips

By following these recommendations, you may drastically lessen the chance of your identity being stolen or exposed while online.

1-     Use strong and unique passwords for all your online accounts. This makes it difficult for hackers to access your private information.

2-    You must not share your password with strangers or access your account through the public Internet.

3-    Be careful about the information you share online. This includes not sharing personal information, such as your address, phone number, and photos, on social media or other public platforms.

4-   On social media and other internet platforms, use privacy settings in order to determine and regulate who has access to and what information is provided about you.

5-    Be aware of phishing scams and other social engineering techniques. Social engineering is the most widely used method at the present time for penetration, which is, in short: the use of various methods of persuasion through a text message, e-mail, or phone call to convince you of a service (which may often be fake) or a product or download a specific application, and there is a variety of these tricks we have listed some of them in these tips.

6-   Beware of "phishing", one of the most effective social engineering techniques, which tries to trick you into providing personal information or money by sending fake links, sending fake pages for you to enter and register with, or asking you to pay money through email or links you may receive via "Facebook", "Instagram", or "WhatsApp" messages.

7-    Be cautious when opening email attachments or clicking on links contained within email messages that come from unidentified sources.

8-   When you receive an e-mail containing the need to transfer funds, attach important information, or the need to click on a link attached in the mail; Directly communicate with the sender of the e-mail to ensure its authenticity and the correctness of the information contained therein, and communication must be via telephone or other means other than this e-mail. It may have been hacked.

9-   Before doing business with a recruitment firm, conduct some research on them. Dummy jobs are one of the most prevalent methods of gathering information nowadays, in which the victim sends a résumé including very private information as well as a copy of their passport or private identity. All of this assists "hackers" in infiltrating the victim or convincing him to pay a little charge for this (fake) service.

10-                       Do not believe e-mails offering you millions of cash in exchange for menial tasks; these are all kinds of electronic fraud.

11- To secure your information from hackers, use a virtual private network (VPN) when connecting to the Internet via public Wi-Fi networks.

12-                        Be cautious of cracked programs, which are obtained for free from deceitful websites in order to avoid purchasing them, as it was eventually discovered that many hacking incidents occurred after installing a cracked application.

13-                          Keep your software, applications and devices updated to ensure they are protected from the latest security threats.

14-                        Two-factor authentication (2FA) should be used wherever possible. It adds an extra layer of protection by requiring another method of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password (especially on social media and WhatsApp).

15-                        For protection against malware, it is critical to utilize antivirus and anti-malware software on your computer and mobile devices.

16-                       Monitor your financial and credit reports on a regular basis to verify that no unauthorized transactions or accounts are opened in your name, and link financial movements on your accounts to SMS alerts. Most financial institutions now offer this service.

17-                        Keeping backup copies of personal and work assets is one of the greatest strategies for safeguarding digital life (photos, private videos, Word, Excel, PowerPoint files, programming files, Photoshop, etc.). The best method is to save a copy somewhere other than your device.

By following these easy instructions, you may contribute to the protection of your privacy, ensure the security of your personal information, and bear in mind that maintaining your confidentiality is primarily your duty. To keep your information secure, it is crucial to keep up with the most recent risks and best practices.

In conclusion, privacy is an important right that must be protected, and with the growth of technology and the Internet, it is more important than ever to be aware of how your personal information is collected and used and to take steps to protect it.

You will be safer in the digital realm if you are cautious and take the appropriate safeguards.