When and Why Blogs Collect Personal Information. Blogs, like other websites, deploy multiple technologies to attract, engage, convert and serve their audiences. By incorporating these Internet privacy tips into your daily lives, you'll be able to protect your privacy online and browse with peace of mind, knowing that your personal information won't fall into the wrong hands. The Verge 'How to increase your privacy online,' by Jacob Kastrenakes on Thursday, June 7, 2018.
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We pay our monthly Internet bill to be able to access the Internet. We don't pay it to give our Internet service provider (ISP) a chance to collect and sell our private data to make more money. This was apparently lost on congressional Republicans as they voted to strip their constituents of their privacy. Even though our elected representatives have failed us, there are technical measures we can take to protect our privacy from ISPs.
Bear in mind that these measures aren't a replacement for the privacy rules that were repealed or would protect our privacy completely, but they will certainly help.
Pick an ISP that respects your privacy
It goes without saying: if privacy is a concern of yours, vote with your wallet and pick an ISP that respects your privacy. Here is a list of them.
Given the dismal state of ISP competition in the US, you may not have this luxury, so read on for other steps you can take.
Opt-out of supercookies and other ISP tracking
In 2014, Verizon was caught injecting cookie-like trackers into their users' traffic, allowing websites and third-party ad networks to build profiles without users' consent. Following criticism from US senators and FCC action, Verizon stopped auto-enrolling users and instead made it opt-in. Users now have a choice of whether to participate in this privacy-intrusive service. Adobe zii 2019 v4 1 9.
You should check your account settings to see if your ISP allows you to opt-out of any tracking. It is generally found under the privacy, marketing, or ads settings. Your ISP doesn't have to provide this opt-out, especially in light of the repeals of the privacy rules, but it can never hurt to check.
Cookie 5 7 9 – Protect Your Online Privacy Screens 10
HTTPS Everywhere
EFF makes this browser extension so that users connect to a service securely using encryption. If a website or service offers a secure connection, then the ISP is generally not able to see what exactly you're doing on the service. However, the ISP is still able to see that you're connecting to a certain website. For example, if you were to visit https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere, your ISP wouldn't be able to tell that you're on the HTTPS Everywhere page, but would still be able to see that you're connecting to EFF's website at https://www.eff.org
While there are limitations of HTTPS Everywhere when it comes to your privacy, with the ISP being able to see what you're connecting to, it's still a valuable tool.
If you use a site that doesn't have HTTPS by default, email them and ask them to join the movement to encrypt the web.
VPNs
In the wake of the privacy rules repeal, the advice to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect your privacy has dominated the conversation. However, while VPNs can be useful, they carry their own unique privacy risk. When using a VPN, you're making your Internet traffic pass through the VPN provider's servers before reaching your destination on the Internet. Your ISP will see that you're connecting to a VPN provider, but won't be able to see what you're ultimately connecting to. This is important to understand because you're exposing your entire Internet activity to the VPN provider and shifting your trust from the ISP to the VPN.
In other words, you should be damn sure you trust your VPN provider to not do the shady things that you don't want your ISP to do.
VPNs can see, modify, and log your Internet traffic. Many VPN providers make promises to not log your traffic and to take other privacy protective measures, but it can be hard to verify this independently since these services are built on closed platforms. For example, a recent study found that up to 38% of VPN apps available for Android contained some form of malware or spyware.
Below, we detail some factors that should be considered when selecting a VPN provider. Keep in mind that these are considerations for someone who is interested in preventing their ISP from snooping on their Internet traffic, and not meant for someone who is interested in protecting their information from the government—a whistleblower, for instance. As with all things security and privacy-related, it's important to consider your threat model.
Is your VPN service dirt-cheap or free? Does the service cost $20 for a lifetime service? There's probably a reason for that and your browsing history may be the actual product that the company is selling to others.
How long has your VPN provider been around? If it is relatively new and without a reliable history, you'd have to trust the provider a great deal in order to use such a service.
Does the VPN provider log your traffic? If yes, what kind of information is logged? You should look for one that explicitly promises to not log your Internet traffic and how active the VPN provider is in advocating for user privacy.
Does the VPN provider use encryption in providing the service? It's generally recommended to use services that support a well-vetted open source protocol like OpenVPN or IPSec. Utilizing these protocols ensures best security available.
If your VPN provider uses encryption, but has a single shared password for all of the users, it's not sufficient encryption.
Do you need to use the VPN provider's proprietary client to use the service? You should avoid these and look for services that you can use with an open source client. There are many clients that support the above-mentioned OpenVPN or IPSec protocols.
Would using the VPN service still leak your DNS queries to your ISP?
Does the VPN support IPv6? As the Internet transitions from IPv4 to the IPv6 protocol, some VPN providers may not support it. Consequently, if your digital device is trying to reach a destination that has an IPv6 address using a VPN connection that only supports IPv4, the old protocol, it may attempt to do so outside of the VPN connection. This can enable the ISP to see what you're connecting to since the traffic would be outside of the encrypted VPN traffic.
Now that you know what to look for in a VPN provider, you can use these twoguides as your starting point for research. Though keep in mind that a lot of the information in the guides is derived from or given by the provider, so again, it requires us to trust their assertions.
Tor
If you are trying to protect your privacy from your Internet company, Tor Browser perhaps offers the most robust protection. Your ISP will only see that you are connecting to the Tor network, and not your ultimate destination, similar to VPNs.
Keep in mind that with Tor, exit node operators can spy on your ultimate destination in the same way a VPN can, but Tor does attempt to hide your real IP address, which can improve anonymity relative to a VPN.
Cookie 5 7 9 – Protect Your Online Privacy Screens Room Dividers
Users should be aware that some websites may not work in the Tor browser because of the protections built in. Additionally, maintaining privacy on Tor does require users to alter their browsing habits a little. See this for more information.
It's a shame that our elected representatives decided to prioritize corporate interests over our privacy rights. We shouldn't have to take extraordinary steps to limit how our personal information can be used, but that is clearly something that we are all forced to do now. EFF will continue to advocate for Internet users' privacy and will work to fix this in the future.
You might also be interested in our privacy tips for iPhone.
Follow these easy steps to protect the personal data on your Android devices, and don't forget that can include TVs and other dedicated devices as well as phones and tablets. Also note that the instructions below may differ slightly depending on your version of Android.
1. Minimize Google's data collection.
On most Android devices you don't have to sign in with your Google account, although some services may be limited. Also make sure you review your Google activity profile at https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity.
2. Lock down your device.
Use a PIN or ideally an alphanumeric password to lock your device.
How:Settings > Security > Screen lock
3. Encrypt the device to protect the data stored on it.
Note that a PIN or password needs to be set to do this, and the device needs to be plugged in.
How:Settings > Security > Encrypt phone/tablet Easy new file 4 71.
4. Keep the device's software up-to-date.
Good advice for any device, not just Android.
How:Settings > About phone/tablet > System Update
5. Be wary of third-party app stores.
Also, don't allow installation of apps from 'unknown sources' unless you're very confident in the source.
How:Settings > Security > Unknown sources
6. When installing an app, check its permissions first.
Think carefully about whether to continue installation if it's requesting access to sensitive data. Seek out apps that require the minimum permissions necessary, like our search app.
7. Review permissions for installed apps.
You may have missed changes during updates or perhaps changed your opinion of what's acceptable. Remove apps you no longer use, and consider replacing some with ones that request the minimum permissions necessary to do their jobs like DuckDuckGo (us) for search.
How:Settings > Apps > [app name]
8. Consider which apps you want syncing with the cloud.
Not syncing apps will limit the data they send to the cloud.
How:Settings > Accounts section > [app name]
In 2014, Verizon was caught injecting cookie-like trackers into their users' traffic, allowing websites and third-party ad networks to build profiles without users' consent. Following criticism from US senators and FCC action, Verizon stopped auto-enrolling users and instead made it opt-in. Users now have a choice of whether to participate in this privacy-intrusive service. Adobe zii 2019 v4 1 9.
You should check your account settings to see if your ISP allows you to opt-out of any tracking. It is generally found under the privacy, marketing, or ads settings. Your ISP doesn't have to provide this opt-out, especially in light of the repeals of the privacy rules, but it can never hurt to check.
Cookie 5 7 9 – Protect Your Online Privacy Screens 10
HTTPS Everywhere
EFF makes this browser extension so that users connect to a service securely using encryption. If a website or service offers a secure connection, then the ISP is generally not able to see what exactly you're doing on the service. However, the ISP is still able to see that you're connecting to a certain website. For example, if you were to visit https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere, your ISP wouldn't be able to tell that you're on the HTTPS Everywhere page, but would still be able to see that you're connecting to EFF's website at https://www.eff.org
While there are limitations of HTTPS Everywhere when it comes to your privacy, with the ISP being able to see what you're connecting to, it's still a valuable tool.
If you use a site that doesn't have HTTPS by default, email them and ask them to join the movement to encrypt the web.
VPNs
In the wake of the privacy rules repeal, the advice to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect your privacy has dominated the conversation. However, while VPNs can be useful, they carry their own unique privacy risk. When using a VPN, you're making your Internet traffic pass through the VPN provider's servers before reaching your destination on the Internet. Your ISP will see that you're connecting to a VPN provider, but won't be able to see what you're ultimately connecting to. This is important to understand because you're exposing your entire Internet activity to the VPN provider and shifting your trust from the ISP to the VPN.
In other words, you should be damn sure you trust your VPN provider to not do the shady things that you don't want your ISP to do.
VPNs can see, modify, and log your Internet traffic. Many VPN providers make promises to not log your traffic and to take other privacy protective measures, but it can be hard to verify this independently since these services are built on closed platforms. For example, a recent study found that up to 38% of VPN apps available for Android contained some form of malware or spyware.
Below, we detail some factors that should be considered when selecting a VPN provider. Keep in mind that these are considerations for someone who is interested in preventing their ISP from snooping on their Internet traffic, and not meant for someone who is interested in protecting their information from the government—a whistleblower, for instance. As with all things security and privacy-related, it's important to consider your threat model.
Is your VPN service dirt-cheap or free? Does the service cost $20 for a lifetime service? There's probably a reason for that and your browsing history may be the actual product that the company is selling to others.
How long has your VPN provider been around? If it is relatively new and without a reliable history, you'd have to trust the provider a great deal in order to use such a service.
Does the VPN provider log your traffic? If yes, what kind of information is logged? You should look for one that explicitly promises to not log your Internet traffic and how active the VPN provider is in advocating for user privacy.
Does the VPN provider use encryption in providing the service? It's generally recommended to use services that support a well-vetted open source protocol like OpenVPN or IPSec. Utilizing these protocols ensures best security available.
If your VPN provider uses encryption, but has a single shared password for all of the users, it's not sufficient encryption.
Do you need to use the VPN provider's proprietary client to use the service? You should avoid these and look for services that you can use with an open source client. There are many clients that support the above-mentioned OpenVPN or IPSec protocols.
Would using the VPN service still leak your DNS queries to your ISP?
Does the VPN support IPv6? As the Internet transitions from IPv4 to the IPv6 protocol, some VPN providers may not support it. Consequently, if your digital device is trying to reach a destination that has an IPv6 address using a VPN connection that only supports IPv4, the old protocol, it may attempt to do so outside of the VPN connection. This can enable the ISP to see what you're connecting to since the traffic would be outside of the encrypted VPN traffic.
Now that you know what to look for in a VPN provider, you can use these twoguides as your starting point for research. Though keep in mind that a lot of the information in the guides is derived from or given by the provider, so again, it requires us to trust their assertions.
Tor
If you are trying to protect your privacy from your Internet company, Tor Browser perhaps offers the most robust protection. Your ISP will only see that you are connecting to the Tor network, and not your ultimate destination, similar to VPNs.
Keep in mind that with Tor, exit node operators can spy on your ultimate destination in the same way a VPN can, but Tor does attempt to hide your real IP address, which can improve anonymity relative to a VPN.
Cookie 5 7 9 – Protect Your Online Privacy Screens Room Dividers
Users should be aware that some websites may not work in the Tor browser because of the protections built in. Additionally, maintaining privacy on Tor does require users to alter their browsing habits a little. See this for more information.
It's a shame that our elected representatives decided to prioritize corporate interests over our privacy rights. We shouldn't have to take extraordinary steps to limit how our personal information can be used, but that is clearly something that we are all forced to do now. EFF will continue to advocate for Internet users' privacy and will work to fix this in the future.
You might also be interested in our privacy tips for iPhone.
Follow these easy steps to protect the personal data on your Android devices, and don't forget that can include TVs and other dedicated devices as well as phones and tablets. Also note that the instructions below may differ slightly depending on your version of Android.
1. Minimize Google's data collection.
On most Android devices you don't have to sign in with your Google account, although some services may be limited. Also make sure you review your Google activity profile at https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity.
2. Lock down your device.
Use a PIN or ideally an alphanumeric password to lock your device.
How:Settings > Security > Screen lock
3. Encrypt the device to protect the data stored on it.
Note that a PIN or password needs to be set to do this, and the device needs to be plugged in.
How:Settings > Security > Encrypt phone/tablet Easy new file 4 71.
4. Keep the device's software up-to-date.
Good advice for any device, not just Android.
How:Settings > About phone/tablet > System Update
5. Be wary of third-party app stores.
Also, don't allow installation of apps from 'unknown sources' unless you're very confident in the source.
How:Settings > Security > Unknown sources
6. When installing an app, check its permissions first.
Think carefully about whether to continue installation if it's requesting access to sensitive data. Seek out apps that require the minimum permissions necessary, like our search app.
7. Review permissions for installed apps.
You may have missed changes during updates or perhaps changed your opinion of what's acceptable. Remove apps you no longer use, and consider replacing some with ones that request the minimum permissions necessary to do their jobs like DuckDuckGo (us) for search.
How:Settings > Apps > [app name]
8. Consider which apps you want syncing with the cloud.
Not syncing apps will limit the data they send to the cloud.
How:Settings > Accounts section > [app name]
9. Hide private notifications.
Stop apps from showing notification content in the lock screen (newer versions of Android only).
How:Settings > Sound & notifications
10. Review default apps.
Assess your default applications, making sure you trust critical communication apps like email, SMS, and browser (newer versions of Android only).
How:Settings > Apps > ⚙ icon > Default
11. Don't share your location with apps.
Stop individual apps accessing your location (newer versions of Android only).
How:Settings > Apps > ⚙ icon > App permissions > Location
12. Don't share your location with Google.
Stop Google services tracking your location, and reset your location history.
How:Settings > Location > Google Location History
13. Consider using a non-Google version of Android.
One popular example is LineageOS, based on CyanogenMod, although this requires technical knowledge to install on your device.
How: Be aware of the risks and follow the install guides.
14. Set DuckDuckGo as your default search engine.
We (DuckDuckGo) are the search engine that doesn't track you. Although it's not possible to add us in Android's built-in browser because Google doesn't include us as an option (go figure), there are several other browsers you can use. You can also add us to your homescreen — visit our homepage for instructions.
15. Install the DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser.
Our mobile app has built-in tracker network blocking, smarter encryption, and, of course, private search, all designed to operate seamlessly together while you search and browse the web.
How: Get the app from https://duckduckgo.com/app
General note
When using Google services and apps on Android and elsewhere, you can control your data by:
Cookie 5 7 9 – Protect Your Online Privacy Screens
Reviewing and limiting Google's tracking of your activity in your My Activity page. See our post on deleting your Google history.
Disabling Google's ad profiling and tracking. See our post on changing Google ad targeting settings.
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Congratulations! You've just taken a big step to increasing mobile privacy and protecting the data on your Android device. You may also be interested in the Tor community's efforts to harden Android further. You might also be interested in our privacy tips for iPhone.
⇲ You can also download a printable PDF of all these tips.
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