Every website you visit, app you use, and account you create collects data about you. Some of this collection is necessary for services to function. Much of it is not. Taking control of your online privacy does not require technical expertise. A few changes to your habits and settings reduce your exposure significantly.
Browser Privacy
Use a browser that respects privacy by default. Firefox and Brave block third-party trackers automatically. Enable the "Do Not Track" setting. Clear cookies regularly or configure your browser to clear them on exit. Use a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo for searches that you do not want associated with your advertising profile.
Account Security
Enable two-factor authentication on every account that supports it. Use a password manager to generate unique passwords for each service. Review the permissions you have granted to third-party apps through your Google, Apple, and social media accounts. Revoke access for apps you no longer use. Each connected app is a potential data exposure point.
Social Media Settings
Review privacy settings on every social media account. Set profiles to private where possible. Disable location tagging on posts. Limit who can see your friends list and personal information. Opt out of personalized advertising in the ad preferences section of each platform. The default settings on most social media platforms favor maximum data sharing. Changing them takes a few minutes and meaningfully reduces your exposure.
Email and Communication
Be cautious about which services get your primary email address. Use an alias or secondary email for newsletters, promotions, and accounts you do not consider essential. This reduces spam and limits the spread of your primary address across data broker databases. For sensitive communications, use encrypted messaging apps that provide end-to-end encryption.
Data Minimization
Share only the information that is strictly necessary. Forms that ask for your phone number, birthday, or address often do not actually require them. Leave optional fields blank. Unsubscribe from marketing emails rather than letting them accumulate. Periodically search your name online to see what information is publicly visible and take steps to remove what you can. Privacy is an ongoing practice, not a one-time setup.