FROM THE INDUSTRY
your web browser and the website server is encrypted. This encryption prevents unauthorised individuals from eavesdropping or intercepting your communication. Only provide your email address or any personal or payment details on websites with these two important elements.
The Internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, offering multiple websites and apps catering to various aspects of our routines. However, this increasing dependence raises new privacy concerns. Marc Porcar, Internet expert and CEO of QR Code Generator, shows us the best ways to protect your privacy online. 1. Register your information on websites and apps sparingly There is an app or website for everything these days, and it may be tempting to sign up to automate every aspect of your life. However, it is crucial to take the time to ascertain the safety of the websites you are visiting. Two easy ways to check if a website is secure are outlined below: A secure URL should always begin with “https” instead of “http.” The addition of the “s” in “https” signifies that the site is utilizing a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate. This certificate ensures that all communication and data transmitted between your browser and the website’s server is encrypted. Look for a lock icon located near your browser’s URL field. The lock symbol and a URL starting with “https” indicate that the connection between
Delete your history - To avoid seeing ads tailored to your past online behaviour, consider deleting cookies and clearing your browsing and search history. Additionally, on your mobile device, delete or reset any identifiers used to track your activity. Adjust your privacy settings - Your browser’s privacy settings allow you to control the information that websites collect about you. For instance, you can prevent websites from accessing your browsing history or sharing your location. The level of protection offered varies depending on the browser you are using. Some browsers provide a private browsing mode that automatically deletes your browsing history once your session ends, although this does not prevent websites from tracking your online activity. Also, some browser extensions or plug- ins offer additional privacy controls. If you are considering using one of these extensions, read reviews from reputable sources to understand the options they provide. Furthermore, your browser’s privacy settings allow you to decide whether to allow or block personalised ads based on your browsing history. Your phone also has a setting that enables you to opt out of personalised ads from the company that developed the operating system, such as Apple or Google. This setting
2. Manage your cookies
All websites track user activities through cookies. They do so to save your preferences and information and obtain analytics on your website visit, including the pages you viewed and the duration of your visit, in order to display personalised ads based on your browsing history or location. When a website tracks your activity, it is referred to as first-party tracking. If a website allows another company to track your activity, it is known as third- party tracking. Third-party tracking allows advertisers to display targeted advertisements to users based on their interests and online behaviour. For instance, if you visit a website about healthy eating, you might receive ads for meal prep services when you visit other websites. If you don’t want to be tracked online and receive personalised ads, the following tips will help.
SEPTEMBER 2024 Volume 46 No.3
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