In light of the data breach, I thought it might be a good idea to discuss 'Best Practice' for protecting yourself online.
This is what I do to protect my data:
- I have a cookie/ad/tracker blocker on my browser. I use ghostery, on ALL my devices, with Firefox
- DuckDuckGo is a browser that doesn't track you
- I have one main account for banking, financials etc, for which I have a VERY long, random password, recorded not on my computer. I have it hidden and written down, and even them it's in my own personal code.
- For SOME other online accounts, such as John Lewis, M&S which I don't use very often, I log the account with my main email address but ask for a new password every time and use some random letters for single use only. So I change my pasword every time I use these accounts.
- For other accounts with financial tranactions I use more frequently, such as Amazon or Google, I have a random, long pasword, again recorded in my code and hidden.
-You can use a password tracker application, but I prefer my method.
-Never use the same password on more than one site if there your financial or personal data is saved on it.
-Never log into an application or website using your Facebook, Google, Yahoo or any other accounts.
-For applications from which a)you will never receive a delivery from and b)Do not have your financial date, such as, for example, Mumsnet, Twitter or Fitbit - USE A FALSE NAME AND POSTCODE.
-Don't give your phone number unless you absolutely have to.
-Question every single field of data you are being asked to give and if there is no benefit to you to give it, don't give it.
-Obviously check your setting on FB (I use FB only for non personal reasons, so it's not in my name)
-Beware of loyalty cards and schemes. You are the product and the companies swap and sell your information. They build it up into a big data warehouse, combine it with financial, consumer, demographic, etc data to build up a terrifying picture of your,life. Then some fuck from 4 Chan will hack it and sell it on the Dark Web
To check if any of your email addresses have been compromised, have a look on
haveibeenpwned.com/
There will be more...
Any experts out there on VPNs, I would be grateful for advice. I have used a couple but would like a more permanent solution. Particulary interested in critique of Opera
Any tips people?