Guide

Privacy Tips

Practical ways to reduce tracking, secure your devices, and protect personal data.

10 min readPractical stepsUpdated 2026

Why privacy matters

Your online actions are tracked by advertisers, data brokers, and platforms. Strong privacy habits reduce profiling, minimize risk, and give you more control over your digital footprint.

Data collection

Companies track clicks, locations, and purchases.

Security risks

Leaks and breaches expose personal information.

Profiling

Behavioral data creates detailed user profiles.

Essential privacy tips

Use a VPN

Encrypts traffic and hides your IP address.

  • Protects on public WiFi
  • Reduces ISP visibility
  • Masks location

Use strong passwords

Unique passwords stop credential reuse attacks.

  • 12+ characters
  • Use a password manager
  • Enable 2FA

Review privacy settings

Limit how much apps and platforms can see.

  • Audit social profiles
  • Disable unnecessary permissions
  • Limit location access

Choose privacy-focused browsers

Some browsers block trackers by default.

  • Firefox or Brave
  • Block third-party cookies
  • Use private mode when needed

Limit personal data sharing

Share only what is required.

  • Avoid unnecessary forms
  • Use aliases when possible
  • Do not overshare on socials

Secure your devices

Keep software updated and encrypted.

  • Install updates promptly
  • Enable device encryption
  • Use biometric locks

Browser privacy settings

Chrome

  • Settings > Privacy and Security
  • Block third-party cookies
  • Clear browsing data regularly
  • Add reputable privacy extensions

Firefox

  • Settings > Privacy and Security
  • Enable strict tracking protection
  • Block fingerprinting
  • Enable DNS over HTTPS

Email privacy

Choose private providers

Consider services that do not scan content and support encryption.

Avoid phishing

Verify senders, avoid unknown links, and use multi-factor authentication.

Mobile privacy

iOS checklist

  • Enable app tracking transparency
  • Review app permissions regularly
  • Use strong device passcodes

Android checklist

  • Use Play Protect
  • Disable unused sensors
  • Limit background location access

Social media privacy

Settings checklist

  • Limit profile visibility
  • Disable location tagging
  • Review tagged posts
  • Restrict data sharing

Smart sharing

  • Think before posting
  • Use close friends lists
  • Clean up older posts

Privacy myths

Incognito makes you invisible.

It only hides local history; websites and ISPs still see you.

HTTPS means complete privacy.

HTTPS encrypts traffic, but does not stop tracking.

I have nothing to hide.

Privacy is about control, not secrecy.

Privacy is too hard.

Small steps deliver big improvements.

Next steps

Privacy improves with consistent habits rather than one-off actions.