Howard Sullivan
When it comes to privacy and security on the Internet, there are many tips on how to protect yourself and established truths among regular users. But is everything that is said on the subject really true?
To have a really safe surfing, it is important to know not only where to start protecting yourself, but also how to avoid practices that compromise security. In other words, it is essential to know the traditional myths and ensure that your protection is continuous.
Five traditional myths about internet privacy and security
1. ANONYMIZED” DATA IS REALLY ANONYMOUS
A common practice recommended by many governments when it comes to the use of data for service delivery and process formulation is anonymization. In this routine, a set of data is processed and modified to remove all points that could lead to the direct identification of a person.
So services such as targeted advertising can build a profile of a person without necessarily knowing exactly who that person is. But this process is not always able to make the user truly invisible to third parties.
With a large (up-to-date and diverse) set of records, it is often possible to reverse-engineer the data to find a particular person in a pile of data. Therefore, the only way to really be guaranteed anonymity on the web is to block the collection of personal information.
2. SECURITY IS SYNONYMOUS WITH PRIVACY
Many people confuse the concepts of privacy and security on the web. However, these are different concepts, and as a rule, having access to one of them will not imply the other. In other words: to have a reliable and robust navigation, it is crucial to understand what these terms really mean.
Online privacy is related to the ability to use services without being directly identified. The concept is about the low (or zero) collection of information from users online.
Digital security, on the other hand, involves keeping information in secure environments and protecting it from being used by third parties in illegal ways. In other words, this term is linked to maintaining the integrity, inviolability, and availability of private information.
3. HACKERS ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN FAMOUS PEOPLE
Another traditional myth when we talk about privacy and security on the Internet is the idea that we are protected because we are not people of interest. But this is a serious mistake and can expose us to situations where personal passwords and credit card numbers are leaked.
In the modern environment, the biggest attacks focus on the amount of information obtained and not just on who owns it. Hackers target businesses of all sizes and profiles, as well as ordinary people, by hacking into devices, redirecting access to fake pages, or even stealing data directly.
Obtaining many records allows the creation of large databases, which are sold online for high prices. They contain records such as credit card data, passwords to online gaming or streaming services, and even private information. So we must always consider ourselves potential victims.
4. ANTIVIRUS IS ABLE TO PROTECT AGAINST ANY ATTACK
The use of antivirus has become a standard behavior for most people. In Windows, by the way, it is software that is activated right from the first login. Precisely because of this, many people often believe that it is enough to use such a solution to protect themselves.
But this is a serious mistake, because antivirus software can identify and block only a limited number of threats. In addition, they are not able to prevent some data theft techniques from taking place.
Therefore, when using the Internet, several techniques and solutions can be adopted alongside antivirus. The firewall, for example, blocks attacks that involve breaking into a network. VPN, on the other hand, allows users to use a public WiFi network without third parties having access to their packets, increasing privacy and security on the internet.
5. 3G OR 4G NETWORKS PROVIDE A HIGHER LEVEL OF SECURITY THAN WIFI
In many cases, this is the case – indeed, public WiFi networks are usually touted as the most insecure way to use the web. But even 3G and 4G wireless networks can have their security compromised.
There are kits that allow a hacker to emulate the signal of a carrier network in a small area to steal data. In these cases the phones mistake the fraudulent signal for a legitimate one and connect to the hacker’s antenna.
It will be connected to a system capable of analyzing all sent and received packets, as well as redirecting the connections to fraudulent pages or even to the requested site. In this way, the user will have their information stolen without realizing it. To protect yourself, the best approach is to invest in a good VPN.
Using the Internet securely is critical for anyone who owns a smartphone or computer. Practices such as adopting complex passwords, updating devices quickly, and a good VPN reduce security risks and prevent traditional attacks. This way, the user can use the web without running the risk of having personal data exposed to third parties.
But for everything to work well, good internet privacy and security practices must be continuously maintained. Only in this way will it be possible to prevent attacks and ensure that no devices are exposed. Therefore, always incorporate traditional techniques into your daily routine and avoid falling into traditional myths.