If you want to keep your online activity to yourself, it’s time to move beyond your browser’s built-in privacy mode. In this Digital Life Hack, Kim will show you a few options to stay hidden, including alternative browsers and a search engine that won’t track or sell your info. But the one trick to really protect your privacy? Watch to find out.
Removing your info from the web takes forever - Unless you do this
I’ve warned you about all the scummy sites that collect your personal details for years. I’ll never forget, not too long ago, when my son Ian asked about a house I lived at in my 20s. I couldn’t remember where it was.
Ian called and asked if it was a particular street in LA. It was, but how the heck did he know? The address I lived at many years ago was listed with my name on a people search website. So creepy!
I’ve got a super smart, easy way to get yourself off sites like these.
Your personal information is big business
Data brokers collect your Social Security number, birthdate, address, health info, contact details, you name it — and sell it to the highest bidder. It’s nearly impossible to remove all that from the web yourself.
That’s where Incogni comes in. It’s a personal data removal service that scrubs your info from the web. It handles the hard work for you. Seriously, it’d take hundreds of hours to do it all on your own.
If you’ve ever agreed to a Privacy Policy online (we all have!), this is a solid way to protect yourself from identity theft, health insurers jacking up your rates, robocalls and more.
It took me about 3 minutes
Before I could recommend it to you, I tried it out myself. The process took me a few minutes, and I was immediately opted out of 27 databases, with 47 more requests sent.
All you have to do is create an account and then enter your name and address. These sites require this info to remove your data — so you’d do that whether or not you use Incogni.
Then, you grant Incogni permission to reach out on your behalf. After you finish the setup process, you’ll see a list of sites you’ve been removed from and pending requests.
It’s so easy
Did your tech devices make the worst-for-privacy list?
Mozilla, the folks behind Firefox, has another big project I keep an eye on. Its Privacy Not Included buyer’s guide. The latest way to measure digital privacy is its Annual Consumer Creep-O-Meter.
It takes a hard look at the most popular consumer tech devices and assesses the good, the bad and the downright ugly. Mozilla uses a scale from one to 100, with 100 being the worst.
You won’t believe how schools AND parents are tracking kids
You’ve got a GPS tracker — and you’ve got a tracker — and you! From Apple AirTags to Tiles to Jiobit sensors, GPS trackers are everywhere. I put them in my cars, wallet, laptop bag and car keys — police are even putting them on people’s cars.
Stop iPhone apps from asking you to rate and review once and for all
Apple’s iPhone is more than just a smartphone. It’s more than a camera and portable gaming system. The iPhone has become ingrained in pop culture through sleek design and clever marketing. Some might call it a status symbol. And with prices topping out over a thousand dollars, that statement does ring true.
This free video chat doesn’t require an account or even your name
As more people started to work from home, Zoom’s video conferencing platform exploded in popularity. Tap or click here for Zoom tricks you’ll wish you’d known sooner.
With most video chatting platforms, you must download a sizable program, create an account and log in. Then, you might fight with an unfamiliar user interface to get yourself set up.
Sick of Google Chrome? 6 alternative browsers to try instead
Google Chrome may be marketed as a secure browser, but does it provide enough privacy for you?
Depending on your preferences and what you value most, such as security or speed, you might find a better browser in this list that suits your needs. You can still use your Google account with any of these browsers.
Private maps alternative when you don't want Google or Apple tracking you
When navigation apps first hit the scene, they sent people crashing into rivers or zooming through the wrong side of town. Nowadays, directional apps like Google Maps are much more polished than their predecessors. Since they take the frustration from exploring unfamiliar cities, it’s hard to imagine driving without them.
Revealed: See how much your browser tracks and sells your data
When it comes to choosing a browser, you have many options from some of the biggest names in tech as well as lesser-known companies. You can make your decision based on appearance, convenience features, compatibility, customization options and more.
Privacy tip: Use this app to see when your phone's mic and camera are in use
Google released Android 11 at the beginning of September, and after testing it out so far, it looks to be a winner of an update. Unfortunately, Apple’s iOS 14 has it beat in the privacy department.
Why is iOS 14 better for privacy? It’s not that Android 11 is a slouch — but features like iOS 14’s new camera and microphone icons are making it easy to tell that apps are snooping when they shouldn’t. Tap or click here to see how these icons exposed the Instagram app.
Protect your most sensitive files with this Android app
Your phone stores gigabytes upon gigabytes of highly personal information, and there’s no doubt it’s a big target for cybercriminals. Malware and phishing campaigns are spreading faster than ever; now is the time to lock down your info.
3 reasons you need wireless earbuds
Now that many of us are sheltering in place, finding privacy can be difficult since there’s always someone around. If you’re working from home, there are sure to be business conversations for your ears only.
And if you’re trying to listen to music or on a personal call, what you’re hearing is still for your ears only. There must be a better way! Thankfully, there is. Now’s the perfect time to get a pair of wireless earbuds.
Don't make these common mistakes with your passwords
Passwords are a necessary evil. They’re a pain to create and a struggle to remember. But if you decide to take shortcuts, you make a hacker’s job much, much easier. Fortunately, I know a few tricks to make the whole process simpler.
Secret ways your kids could be hiding nudes on their phones
If you’re a parent or grandparent, you have to read this! Checking up on your kids’ phones is good, but it just doesn’t cut it. You’ll be shocked when I tell you just how many opportunities there are for kids to hide nude photos on their gadgets.
5 ways to find out if your computer is secure
There are always digital threats looming out there such as hackers, snoopers, viruses, phishing attacks, and I could go on. If you don’t think computer security is a big deal, think again. Hopefully, you’ve taken some steps to secure your devices, but the big question is whether it worked. Is your computer really safe? Here are some easy ways to make sure.
Turn your smartphone into a body-worn video camera
Most new smartphones come equipped with both front and rear-facing cameras that take amazing photos. However, your smartphone camera can be used for more important things than just capturing shots of vacations or what you had for lunch. Here’s how you can turn your phone into a body cam, and capture emergency situations just like law enforcement.