It’s hard to imagine the web without the data collection of big tech companies. But how can you protect yourself from online tracking? We have put together some tips for you.
The smartphone has many functions that can make our lives and everyday life easier. But the small computer in your pocket doesn’t just have advantages.
Because while we are constantly using our smartphones, data is also constantly being collected about us. But tracking can also be curbed. You can protect yourself from online tracking with these helpful tricks.
How you can protect yourself from online tracking
Stiftung Warentest has identified a solution to such problems: “Move deep into the forest, build a hut, feed yourself by hunting and gathering – and do without all electronic devices.”
However, such a decision could lead to a “certain loss of comfort”. For all those who want to continue to benefit from the convenience of using the internet, the consumer protection organization has compiled ten tips to curb the flow of data through tracking.
Social networks as true data octopuses
The first thing Stiftung Warentest warns against in its tips for more privacy online is social networks. Users should think carefully about what information they disclose here. They should also make sure that they only share this information with friends.
If you make your profile and posts publicly accessible, you are an open book – anyone can investigate you. This could be potential employers, disgruntled neighbors or criminals.
But uploading photos can also be critical. Care should be taken here to upload photos without the location, as this is stored in the photo metadata of many cameras and smartphones. Third parties could use this information to create a movement profile in case of doubt.
How you can protect yourself from tracking while surfing
But it’s not just when you use your smartphone, countless amounts of data are also collected in your browser. You can curb this by using the logout button for various services, for example. Because if you are permanently logged in, Google, Facebook and co. can access a lot of information about your surfing behavior.
If you want to protect yourself from tracking and make less data available to the big tech companies, it can also be helpful to look for alternative services. Whether it’s a search engine, browser or email program – there are numerous alternatives to the usual providers on the internet.
In many browsers, it is now also possible to switch to an anonymous mode. However, if this is not enough protection against online tracking, you can also use so-called tracking blockers.
You can protect yourself from tracking with these small browser extensions, but they should hardly bother you while surfing.
