Ask The Techspert: How to Protect Your Privacy While Browsing the Web

With Data Privacy Day (January 28) just around the corner, now is the perfect time to take action and reduce your digital footprint while safeguarding your data online.

It’s no longer surprising that businesses, governments, and other organizations collect personal data whenever you create an account, shop online, use mobile apps, browse the web, or engage on social media—basically, anytime you’re online. As concerns over online privacy grow, protecting your data has never been more critical. This article explores practical steps to secure your information, from choosing privacy-focused browsers to using encrypted connections.

Switch to a Privacy-Friendly Browser & Search Engine

Protecting your privacy on the web starts with your choice of browser. Although less popular than Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Safari, browsers like Brave and Tor are designed with privacy in mind. These browsers block trackers, minimize the amount of personal information shared with websites, and offer more control over your data.

To go even further, consider changing your browser’s default search engine. Unlike behemoth search engines like Bing and Google, DuckDuckGo and Startpage do not store or share your personal information and deliver search results without tracking your history.

You don’t have to google only on Google!

To change your browser’s default search engine, go to the browser’s settings > Search (Or Search Engine) > Select your preferred search engine. Remember to save the changes.

Clean Your Browser

Websites use cookies, browsing history, and other tracking technologies to monitor your activity on their website and across others via third-party cookies. Regularly deleting your cookies and browsing history is a simple way to increase privacy on the web.

While cleaning your browser, remember to remove unused extensions. These small programs add features like spell-checking, autofill, or note-taking but often access your activities across all sites—even in incognito mode. To reduce privacy risks, disable or remove extensions you don’t need. For more on managing cookies, history, and extensions, check out my previous techspert article, How to Speed Up Your Browser.

Not all extensions are harmful. Some can actually boost your privacy and safeguard your data online. Ad blockers like AdBlock Plus, uBlock Origin, and Privacy Badger can significantly reduce tracking across websites.

Consider using a VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is one of the best ways to protect your privacy. It encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a secure server, masking your IP address and preventing third parties from tracking you. It also encrypts your data, making it unreadable to anyone who intercepts it.

Choose a trustworthy VPN provider that doesn’t log your online activity. Avoid free VPNs, as they may log and sell your data. For more information on VPNs, check out my article here.

Keep Privacy in Mind on the Web

We often compromise our privacy online by neglecting basic privacy practices. Here are some key tips for safer browsing:

• Use strong, unique passwords for each site, and consider a Password Manager to keep track.
• Always browse secure websites with HTTPS. Enable “HTTPS-Only Mode” in your browser under Settings > Privacy & Security.
• Avoid oversharing personal details. Only fill in required fields (marked with an asterisk) when completing online forms.
• Turn off location sharing unless necessary, like when searching for nearby restaurants.
• Treat your email and phone number like your IP address—share them sparingly to avoid easy identification.
• Skip third-party sign-ins (e.g., using Google or Facebook to sign up). These can expose your online activity and compromise your accounts if one gets hacked.
• Avoid using public computers and Wifi as much as possible.

Conclusion

With the rise of AI, anything you share online—whether posts, photos, or comments—can contain personal data that can be retrieved and analyzed. Therefore, it is important to stay mindful of the websites you visit, what you share, and the people you connect with online.

By adopting privacy-focused practices, such as choosing secure browsers, using VPNs, and being cautious about your online activity, you can significantly reduce your digital footprint and safeguard your personal information.

What to do next?

Check out the following Senior Planet resources that can give you a headstart on staying safe while browsing the web:

• Passwords, Passkeys, and More – Wed. Jan 22, 2025 at 12:30pm EST
• Intro to Managing Your Privacy – Fri. Jan 31, 2025 at 12:30pm EST
• Ask The Techspert: Strong Passwords

Also, join the Everything Tech and Ask a Tech Expert groups on the Senior Planet Community platform to ask any tech questions you might have and discuss technologies with other like-minded individuals.

Your Turn

In the comments below, share any privacy-focused practices I may have missed, or let us know which ones you plan to implement immediately.

 

Techspert Jonathan is Senior Planet’s Sr. Digital Community Relations and Product Specialist and a former Senior Planet San Antonio technology trainer. He is also an iOS developer with a background in Information Systems and Cyber Security.

Have a tech question that’s got you stumped? Send your tech questions to Techspert Jonathan using THIS FORM. He’ll be tackling one question a month from readers.