Keeping up with the ever-present surveillance of the internet can be a lot to handle. Every ad you see and every click you make is carefully monitored and stored just waiting for a company to make use of it. The collection of your personal data may make you feel like your online actions are being closely monitored. However, there is no need to compromise your security, you can disable cookies and control how your data is being collected. But if that sounds like something you would like to do, you are in the right place.
This step by step guide will allow you to put en strong measures against data collection, block unwanted cookies, and secure your information. Let’s get started!
The Consequences Of What Data Collection Can Do?
It is only right to first understand what information gathering means before diving deeper into what measures can be taken agianst it. Advertisers, websites, and different companies gather personal information based on your online activity. This involves a wide range of information such as active and passive interests, places and zones visited, how often do you browse and look p a bunch of other things.
While data collection has the potential to enhance the online experience through delivering personalized content or advertisements, it often overshadows privacy considerations. As more data is gathered from the users, the chances of data breaches, identity fraud, and unwarranted monitoring increases.
This calls for control over the data one chooses to share and its usage online. Worry not, for there are several tactics you can employ to stop data collection like a pro and safeguard your virtual identity.
Block or Disable Cookies
Cookies help tailor one’s browsing experience to their liking because they are tiny files that web pages embed onto a gadget to keep track of the user’s preferences. Some cookies aid in the proper working of a certain website while marketing cookies are for sale when data is being collected. Below are the steps on how to block ingredients or disable ingredients on your browser:
For Google Chrome:
Once Chrome is open, tap the three dots on the top right corner.
Click on Settings.
From the list, look for Privacy and Security and click on it.
Tap Cookies and other site data.
Click on Block third-party cookies. This action makes sure advertisers cannot track your activity.
For Mozilla Firefox:
Open Firefox and locate the three horizontal lines on the top right corner.
Select Options.
Click on Privacy & Security.
Opt for Block cookies and site data within the Cookies and Site Data category.
Decide how much cookie blocking works best for you (Standard, Strict, or Custom).
Safari Setting:
Start Safari and click on the top menu for Safari.
Click on Preferences then go to the Privacy tab.
Tick the box saying Block all cookies if you do not wish to save any cookies.
Alternatively, you can select Prevent cross-site tracking to disallow tracking by third party cookies.
Blocking or disabling cookies will help limit the amount of your information that is tracked online.
Shift to Privacy-Focused Browsers
While it is possible to manually block cookies, there are some browsers specially designed with privacy-centric features. These browsers block any form of tracking scripts and cookies so that your information is secured.
Brave Browser:
Brave is a browser specifically focusing on privacy and by default blocks ads, trackers, and cookies. It also offers TOR (The Onion Router) for anonymous browsing as a default built in option. Using brave on its own allows people to stop the majority of data collection with little to no work on their part.
DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser:
DuckDuckGo is another great option for users who want to stop data collection. It blocks trackers, does not allow search history to be saved, and provides users with heightened browsing security. DuckDuckGo is a search engine and a browser built on user-first principles, meaning that the user’s privacy comes before everything else.
Using a DuckDuckGo or Brave browser makes it extremely difficult for users’ data to be collected, as these organizations are not motivated by advertising money, resulting in fewer people tracking the user.
Use A VPN For Extra Privacy
A VPN, also known as Virtual Private Network, is a very powerful privacy tool for the online world. It encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, making it nearly impossible for third parties to pinpoint your online footprints. This is why VPNs are important:
Hides your location: A VPN does this by hiding your true IP address; this means that websites will have no proper means of pinpointing where you truly are in the world.
Encrypts your data: A good VPN will protect all of your internet traffic, meaning that anything you do online cannot be viewed by online criminals and even your internet service provider.
Blocks tracking: A VPN is capable of hiding your IP address, thus preventing sites and advertisers from spying on your activity.
Some trusted VPN providers are Express VPN, Nord VPN, and CyberGhost. If a VPN is executed properly, it can help to limit data harvesting and protect your information from being collected.
Manual Opt-Out on Certain Websites
Different websites and marketers usually track and collect data using cookies and other means. In an effort elude this, opting out of data collection manually on specific sites is an option.
Opt-Out of Google Ads:
Head over to your Google Ad Settings. You may find it useful to keep your ads less specific.
Disable Advertisement Personalization to prevent Google from tracking your webpages for advertisements, which in turn means fewer specific adverts will appear around your account.
More filters can be used by clicking on Manage your ad settings to control some of the ads that interest you.
Opt-Out of Other Tracking Services:
Many other advertising networks and services have set options to cancel more personalized advertisements such as:
Facebook Ads: While using Facebook, you can agree to different general types of ads, but control the more specific ones in your profile setting, thus limiting Facebook’s advertisement tracking on you from other sites.
Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA): The DAA gives freedom to remove different trackers from multiple companies, which constantly monitor and follow you, using the DAA opt-out button.
It is clear that stopping these type of services greatly reduce the online data trail created.
Search Privately With Specialized Engines
Google and other search engines will forever encroach on your privacy as they collect and store your queries to improve their services. If you do not want your data to be stored, you could always opt for a private search engine. These engines do not track your activities and offer utmost privacy.
DuckDuckGo: Canary’s Bestfriend
Canary’s bestfriend is one of the best privacy focused engines as it does not track searches nor does it block tracking cookies cut by advertisers.
StartPage: The Selfish Search Engine
The selfish search engine as many people refer to it gets all of it’s search results from Google. However, it does not keep any of your personal details nor does it track you. StartPage is a great option if you are looking for a normal search experience but do not want your data to be harvested.
Startpage as well as DuckDuckGo let you browse without the fear of being monitored.
Regularly Clear Your Cookies and Cache
Even if you try to block cookies, deleting browser cache and cookies frequently is considered best practice. By doing so, you will erase all the data that has been stored and might be used to snoop on you. It is also a good idea to get rid of browsers’ stored data after using the web for a prolonged period of time to minimize the risk of getting targeted. Most browsers including Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera allow doing so thrugh browser settings. To be extra secure, set the browser to delete the stored data on program exit. Try to do this on a weekly basis and avoid getting tracked.
Keep Yourself Updated and Be Wary
The web is ever changing, which means tracking methods are invented all the time. Make sure you keep on top of new privacy features and tools that can help shield your data. Being wary of the sites you visit, the applications you use and their permissions is recommended.
As you know, cookies can be restricted and your privacy can be modeled after the measures that you employ on your information. But remember that the internet framework is tremendous. Therefore, being aware about your information is crucial while being in the cyberspace.
Conclusion: No More Data Extraction Please!
In this way, even a layperson can put a stop to data collection and maintain their online activity without prying eyes. Put a stop to cookies, use privacy centric browsers, opt out of tracking, and use VPNs or private search engines to cover your tracks. Your data is yours, as it should always be, and if caution is exercised, it can be greatly insulated from harm.
Put a stop to cookies and enjoy proper internet browsing without worrying about online safety. These tips will help you increase your privacy and allow you to bring the onus of your data back on yourself.
