In an ideal future, we won’t need passwords at all! But while we do, let’s manage them better. — I’m kind of excited about this post since I’m a huge proponent of password managers. Once again, we’re switching lanes a little bit and talking about security with just a hint of privacy. Let’s get right to it! What am I suggesting and why? Download a password manager and use it properly. We’ll walk through what…

Don’t log in with Google or Facebook — they’re data vampires. — People love to talk about login security, but today we’re talking about login privacy. There might still be a dash of security though, it’s unavoidable. What am I suggesting and why? When you sign up for an account and they offer you to Sign in with Google or Sign in with Facebook, don’t do it. Choose…

And remove your personal information! — What am I suggesting and why? Exactly what it says! Google yourself! Go to google.com and type in your full name. Have a common name? Type in your name and your state. Still too common? Type in your name and the name of your workplace. You’ll almost certainly find something. Look through the many pages of…

Your contact list should be sacred. Don’t just give it away to anyone who asks for it. — This one goes out to my aunt (A.S.), though she doesn’t know why yet. She, and you all, are about to find out. What am I suggesting and why? Revoke contact access to any app that doesn’t need it, and delete the contacts that you may have already shared with them. If you give an app…

Let’s make it an easy one today. — What am I suggesting and why? Turn off the advertising ID on your mobile devices. Basically, when you have multiple apps installed on your phone, the apps can talk to each other about who you are and what you do based on a profile they create of you attached to an ID that’s unique to you…

A rare delve into ‘security’ for this publication! — Today, we’re going to wet our feet with a little security, which certainly helps with privacy, but they are not the same thing. …

One of the easiest ways to protect your privacy is with a good VPN. — What am I suggesting and why? Start using a VPN — I’m recommending ProtonVPN. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are a great way to keep your data private. Whether you use Xfinity, Verizon, Google Fiber, or any other internet service provider (ISP), they can not only see what you’re doing, but they can also sell what you’re…

Google Maps might be tracking you everywhere you go. Here’s how to stop it. — What am I suggesting and why? Google recently announced that it would no longer track visits to abortion clinics (or, at least, it would delete them soon after), but it brings up a larger privacy concern — you may have agreed to store your entire location history with Google through Google Maps without realizing it. …

Google tracks and stores all your searches. Switch to a private search engine like DuckDuckGo. — What am I suggesting and why? Change your default browser search engine to DuckDuckGo. Your search history, even if you delete it, carries breadcrumbs and assumptions used to create a story about you, the user. For example, if you search for baby products, Google might think you’re pregnant. If you search for diabetes symptoms, Google might…