For example, change your password regularly, use 2FA.

  • mholiv@lemmy.worldEnglish
    23·
    2 years ago

    Security is not equal to privacy. Even if you do use 2FA and change your passwords all the time. You don’t gain any additional privacy.

    Changing your google password and adding 2FA to your google account does nothing to make your life more private because google still can read all your emails, and sell your data regardless of 2FA.

    The best habits to maintain privacy are to avoid using the services of companies that’s business model is violating your privacy.

    Some pro privacy habits might be:

    • Avoid any google products or services.
    • Avoid and Meta products or services.
    • Don’t use any free software or services that are not community run / non profit. They make money from selling your data.

    In a positive light these habits might be reflected as:

    • Using a google free phone. (i.e. GraphineOS or CalyxOS or /e/OS or even an iPhone as a last resort.)
    • Use Lemmy, mastodon and other alternatives to big social media corps.
    • Pay for reputable e-mail hosting with a reputable provider, (Ie Microsoft365 Business Account, Tutanota, or Proton Mail) or host your own.

    Privacy isn’t all or nothing. Small steps are still improvements. Microsoft respects their business client’s privacy because that is what is demanded and Microsoft makes money by providing B2B services. Apple is in the business of selling expensive hardware and iCloud services so they don’t need to violate your privacy as much. These products while not perfect are leaps and bounds better then using any google or meta product.

    Small steps are good steps.

    If I had to choose one thing to do I would say to drop any phone that has the play store pre installed.

    • mholiv@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      2 years ago

      One addition. People say to use a VPN but I would argue that this is virtually pointless if you continue to use privacy violating services from privacy violating companies.

      If your connect to what’s app or Snapchat or gmail over a https collection inside a secure VPN you are still sending them your data. Just with an extra lawyer of encryption. Google doesn’t need your IP if you give them your complete email inbox.

      • hiire@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        Agreed. I’d still recommend a VPN in case your ISP is some sort of big company that sells or sends your traffic to other companies or the gov though, or if you want to torrent in the US, Germany or other countries where the copyright laws are super enforced.

        Just make sure you choose a reliable VPN, not some random VPN from youtube. Read articles, reviews, investigate, ask in privacy-focused communities

  • auth@lemmy.mlEnglish
    2·
    2 years ago

    I give a fake phone number to companies who ask for one. I also often sign up with temporary emails when possible.

  • RotatingParts@lemmy.mlEnglish
    2·
    2 years ago

    Use Linux, a VPN, Firefox with containers and multiple privacy add-ons. I use Veracrypt volumes to store “private” information in the cloud.

    • HaphazardFinesse@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      Is there a distro you recommend? I’ve toyed around with Tails, but the lack of persistence and forcing all traffic through Tor instead of a VPN (I guess the whole point of Tails) is too inconvenient for daily use.

      • Random Dent@lemmy.mlEnglish
        2·
        2 years ago

        Not to be one of those people, but I use Arch (btw) as a daily driver and I really like it, but also I’m a tinkerer. But TBH even just something Debian with a decent VPN would probably be a lot more private than just regular Windows 11 or whatever IMO.

        • HaphazardFinesse@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          2·
          2 years ago

          I’m a tinkerer as well, but I’m at a point in my life where I need to prioritize my tinkering haha. Like buying stir-fry takeout (Windows/MacOS), cooking it by buying a pre-packaged bag (packaged mainstream Linux distro), or starting from scratch, experimenting with literally everything from chopping technique to cooking temp for each ingredient, until you realize you’re missing an ingredient you need, then you have to go back to the store (Arch lol).

    • auth@lemmy.mlEnglish
      12·
      2 years ago

      Unlike recording audio without consent (in 2-party consent states), recording images isnt illegal which is kind of strange (the laws don’t keep up with technology).

  • Got_Bent@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    2 years ago

    I’ve been using the internet as a whole less and less.

    Deleted Facebook years ago

    Never had Twitter

    Nuked my Reddit account on July 1

    Cancelled Netflix

    Will likely cancel Amazon at the end of the current subscription cycle

    Use duck duck go or brave for searches

    Lemmy is the only interactive thing I’ve got left, and we’ll see where that goes

    Things I cannot or am not willing to go dark on include online banking and bill pay. I could, but that creates so much extra time. But then if anybody needs to confirm that I pay my water bill, more power to them.

    I also have and love Spotify though it seems I’m not supposed to do that anymore, so I’ve got to figure that one out. (Though I have many acquaintances in mid tier music groups who love Spotify as it drives ticket and merch sales for them)

    Anywho, give it another decade, and I’ll just be somebody that nobody is sure exists.