10 Data Privacy Tips to Protect Your Info Online in 2026

The average person's digital footprint now includes over 130 online accounts, countless app permissions, and personal information scattered across data broker databases. AI-generated phishing attacks are succeeding at rates four times higher than traditional scams, and your leaked password from a 2019 breach is still circulating on criminal forums.

Taking control of your privacy doesn't require technical expertise. It requires knowing which actions actually matter and how to implement them. This guide walks you through 10 concrete steps that work whether you're in Paris, Portland, or Pretoria.

1. Use Email Aliases and Temporary Phone Numbers

How It Works

Email aliasing services generate unique, disposable email addresses that forward messages to your real inbox. When you sign up for a newsletter, shopping site, or app, you give them the alias instead of your actual email. The same principle applies to temporary phone numbers, which can receive verification codes without exposing your real number.

What Problem It Solves

When a company gets breached or sells your data, only that specific alias is compromised. You'll know exactly which service leaked your information, and you can disable the alias without changing your real email or dealing with account recovery across dozens of sites. It also eliminates spam at the source and prevents your primary contact information from ending up in data broker databases that attackers and marketers scrape.

Recommended Services

Email Aliases:

• Apple Hide My Email (free with iCloud+, works globally)

• SimpleLogin (free tier available, open source, EU-based)

• DuckDuckGo Email Protection (completely free, global)

• AliasVault (combines password manager with email aliasing)

• Fastmail (paid, includes custom domain aliases)

Temporary Phone Numbers:

• MySudo (US and Canada)

• Hushed (works in 300+ countries)

• Burner (US, Canada, UK)

• Google Voice (free, US only)

Regional Note: EU users benefit from GDPR protections that limit how companies share aliased data. US users should be aware that email aliases don't prevent government access under warrant. Non-EU/US users may find fewer local temporary number providers, but global services like Hushed work worldwide.

2. Replace Passwords with Passkeys

How It Works

Passkeys use public-key cryptography stored on your device (phone, laptop, or hardware security key). When you log in, your device proves it has the private key using your fingerprint, face scan, or device PIN. The website never sees your actual credential, only a cryptographic proof that you own the key. Unlike passwords, passkeys can't be phished because they only work on the legitimate site they were created for.

What Problem It Solves

Passwords are the weakest link in account security. They can be guessed, stolen in breaches, intercepted by keyloggers, or tricked out of you by phishing sites. Passkeys eliminate all of these attack vectors. They also remove the burden of creating, remembering, and managing complex unique passwords for every account. Login success rates jump from 63% (traditional passwords) to 93% with passkeys.

How to Enable

Major Platforms:

• Google Account: Security settings → Passkeys → "Create a passkey"

• Apple ID: Settings → Password & Security → Add Passkey

• Microsoft Account: Security → Advanced security options → Passkey

• PayPal, eBay, Best Buy, GitHub: Check account security settings

Hardware Security Keys (Optional but Strongest):

• YubiKey (works globally, multiple models from $25-70)

• Google Titan Security Key (US, EU)

• Thetis FIDO2 (budget option, global shipping)

As of 2026, 48% of top websites support passkeys, with higher adoption in US and EU markets. Users in regions with less passkey adoption should prioritize enabling them on email and financial accounts first.

3. Scan Your Digital Footprint

How It Works

Digital footprint scanning tools crawl public databases, data breaches, people-finder sites, social media, and the dark web to discover what personal information is publicly associated with you. This includes email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses, usernames, leaked passwords, social profiles, professional information, and family connections. The scan produces a report showing where each piece of data appears and how exposed you are.

What Problem It Solves

You can't protect data you don't know is exposed. Most people are shocked to learn their home address is on 20+ people-finder sites, their work email appeared in six different breaches, or their children's names are easily searchable. A footprint scan gives you visibility into your actual attack surface so you can prioritize removing the most dangerous exposures first, like a leaked password you're still using combined with your current email address.

Recommended Services

Free or Freemium:

• Have I Been Pwned (checks email against breach databases, global)

• Google yourself (basic manual scan)

• DeleteMe Scanner (free preview, paid removal service, US-focused)

Paid Services:

• Incogni (automated data broker removal, EU and US, ~$13/month)

• Optery (tracks 200+ data brokers, ~$15/month, US-focused)

• Privacy Bee (free basic scan, paid removal, US)

• Brightside (Swiss-based, OSINT-powered scanning across 6 data categories: personal information, data leaks, online services, interests, social connections, and locations; includes Personal Safety Score, automated data broker removal)

Manual Approach:
Search your name, email, and phone number on:

• People-finder sites: Spokeo, Whitepages, TruePeopleSearch, 192.com (UK), Infobel (EU)

• Breach databases: Have I Been Pwned, DeHashed

• Social media: Google "[your name] site:facebook.com"

4. Review and Revoke App Permissions

How It Works

Mobile apps request access to device features (camera, microphone, location, contacts, photos, health data) during installation or first use. Most users tap "Allow" without reading. This audit involves manually reviewing which apps have which permissions and revoking access for anything that doesn't need it. For example, a recipe app doesn't need your microphone, and a photo editor doesn't need constant location tracking.

What Problem It Solves

Excessive permissions create multiple risks. Apps can collect far more data than necessary and sell it to data brokers. If an app is compromised by hackers, attackers inherit all its permissions. Background location tracking drains battery and creates detailed movement profiles. Microphone access can enable eavesdropping. Even legitimate apps often harvest unnecessary data to build advertising profiles or improve their AI models. Revoking permissions limits exposure if the app is breached, sold, or changes its privacy policy.

How to Audit

iPhone (iOS):

• Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services (review each app)

• Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone / Camera / Contacts / Photos (review each)

• Look for "Always" location access and change to "While Using" or "Never"

Android:

• Settings → Privacy → Permission manager (shows all apps by permission type)

• Review Location / Camera / Microphone / Contacts / Phone / SMS

• Tap each app and change from "Allow" to "Ask every time" or "Don't allow"

What to Revoke:

• Flashlight or utility apps: don't need contacts, location, or microphone

• Games: rarely need real location or camera

• Shopping apps: don't need "Always" location (change to "While Using")

• Social media: consider limiting photo access to "Selected Photos" only

5. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

How It Works

MFA requires two pieces of evidence to log in: something you know (password) and something you have (your phone, an authenticator app code, or a security key). After entering your password, you receive a time-sensitive code via app, SMS, or push notification. Some systems use biometrics (fingerprint, face) as the second factor. The system only grants access if both factors are correct within the time window.

What Problem It Solves

Over 80% of account breaches involve stolen or weak passwords. MFA blocks these attacks because even if criminals steal your password through phishing, data breaches, or keyloggers, they still can't access your account without the second factor (which is on your device). MFA stops credential stuffing attacks, where hackers test leaked passwords across multiple sites. It's the single most effective account security measure available.

How to Set Up

Priority Accounts (Enable MFA First):

1. Primary email (password resets flow here)

2. Banking and financial accounts

3. Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud)

4. Social media

5. Work/corporate accounts

MFA Methods (Ranked by Security):

1. Hardware security keys (YubiKey, Titan): strongest, immune to phishing

2. Authenticator apps (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, 2FAS): strong, works offline

3. Push notifications (approve login on trusted device): convenient, fairly secure

4. SMS codes: better than nothing, but vulnerable to SIM-swap attacks

Recommended Authenticator Apps:

• Authy (cloud backup, multi-device, global)

• 2FAS (open source, no account required)

• Aegis (Android, open source, encrypted local storage)

• Proton Autheticator

6. Learn to Spot AI-Generated Phishing and Deepfakes

How It Works

Traditional phishing relied on generic messages with obvious grammar mistakes. AI-powered attacks now generate personalized, contextually accurate messages by scraping your LinkedIn, social media, and public data. Deepfake voice cloning can impersonate colleagues or family members using just a few seconds of audio from a video call or voicemail. Training yourself means learning to recognize subtle red flags and building a habit of verification before acting on unexpected requests.

What Problem It Solves

AI phishing achieves a 54% click rate versus 12% for traditional phishing because messages feel authentic. Attackers use your job title, recent projects, and colleague names to craft convincing business email compromise (BEC) attacks. Voice deepfakes trick employees into wiring funds or sharing credentials by impersonating the CEO. Without awareness, you're four times more likely to fall for these attacks, leading to account takeover, financial fraud, or ransomware installation.

Red Flags to Watch For

Email Phishing:

• Urgent requests for money, credentials, or action ("your account will be suspended")

• Unusual requests from known contacts ("I need you to buy gift cards")

• Links that hover-reveal different URLs than displayed text

• Slight misspellings in sender domain (microsotf.com vs microsoft.com)

• Requests to bypass normal procedures (wire transfer without approval workflow)

Voice/Video Deepfakes:

• Slightly unnatural speech rhythm or pauses

• Background noise that doesn't match claimed location

• Frozen facial expressions or unnatural blinking

• Lip-sync issues in video calls

• Urgent requests that skip verification ("I can't talk long, just do it now")

Verification Habits:

1. If someone emails asking for money/credentials, call them at a number you already have (not one in the message)

2. Create a family "safe word" for emergency calls

3. If a video call seems off, ask a question only the real person would know

4. Hover over links before clicking; type URLs manually if unsure

5. Use "Report Phishing" buttons in email clients to help train filters

Training Resources:

• Phishing Quiz by Google (free, global): https://phishingquiz.withgoogle.com

7. Use a Credit Freeze or Identity Theft Monitoring

How It Works

A credit freeze (also called a security freeze) locks your credit file at the major credit bureaus. When frozen, lenders cannot access your report, which means they'll deny any application for new credit. You control when to temporarily "thaw" the freeze using a PIN or online account when you need to apply for legitimate credit. Identity theft monitoring services continuously scan the dark web, breach databases, and credit reports for signs your information is being misused.

What Problem It Solves

Identity thieves use stolen personal information (SSN, date of birth, address) to open credit cards, loans, or mortgages in your name. By the time you discover fraudulent accounts, your credit score is destroyed and you face months of dispute processes. A credit freeze blocks these attempts at the source since lenders can't proceed without accessing your file. Monitoring catches early warning signs like your SSN appearing in a new breach or a credit inquiry you didn't authorize.

How to Freeze Your Credit

United States:
Freeze with all three bureaus (free, permanent until you lift it):

• Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/

• Experian: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html

• TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze

Process: Create account → Request freeze → Receive PIN (save it securely). Thaw temporarily online or by phone when applying for credit.

European Union:
Credit freezes work differently in the EU since credit reporting systems vary by country:

• Germany: SCHUFA allows blocking via identity theft report

• UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion offer Protective Registration (similar concept)

• France: Contact Banque de France to add fraud alert

• General: File police report for identity theft, then request alert with local credit bureau

Other Regions:

• Canada: Equifax and TransUnion offer fraud alerts; contact both

• Australia: Request ban through Equifax, Experian, illion

• General approach: Contact your country's primary credit bureau and request a fraud alert or freeze

Monitoring Services

Paid Services:

• LifeLock ($10-30/month, US-focused, includes restoration services)

• IdentityForce (US, includes credit monitoring)

• Experian IdentityWorks (global in many countries)

• Credit Karma (free credit monitoring, US)

Free Monitoring:

• Have I Been Pwned (email breach alerts, global)

• AnnualCreditReport.com (free US credit reports weekly)

• Check credit report manually every 3-6 months

Regional Note: Credit freeze is most robust in the US where it's legally mandated to be free. EU users should focus on GDPR deletion requests to reduce exposed data and use local credit bureau fraud alerts. Users in developing economies may lack mature credit systems; focus instead on monitoring bank accounts directly and using strong authentication.

8. Minimize Personal Details on Social Media

How It Works

Social media profiles, posts, photos, and interactions create a detailed map of your life: where you work, where you live, your routines, family relationships, hobbies, and travel plans. Privacy settings control who can see this information (public, friends-only, custom lists). Content audits involve reviewing old posts for sensitive details and either deleting them or restricting visibility. Location tagging and face recognition features can be disabled to prevent automatic mapping of where you go and who you're with.

What Problem It Solves

Social engineers mine public profiles to craft personalized scams. Your child's school name becomes "There's an incident at Lincoln Elementary." Your vacation photos signal your home is empty for burglary. Your pet's name is likely your password recovery answer. AI systems scrape profiles to build training data for deepfakes. Employers, stalkers, and criminals all use social media reconnaissance. Minimizing exposure makes these attacks exponentially harder to execute.

Action Steps

Immediate Privacy Settings:

• Facebook: Settings → Privacy → "Who can see your posts?" → Friends (not Public)

• Instagram: Settings → Privacy → Private Account (ON)

• LinkedIn: Settings → Visibility → Profile viewing options → Private mode

• Twitter/X: Settings → Privacy and safety → Protect your posts

• TikTok: Settings → Privacy → Private account

Content Audit:

1. Review posts older than 1 year

2. Delete or restrict posts containing:

   • Home address or neighborhood landmarks

   • Children's school names or photos

   • Travel plans (future or current)

   • Full birthdate (year especially)

   • Phone numbers or email addresses

   • "I'm away from home" announcements

   • Photos with license plates, house numbers, street signs

Disable Tracking Features:

• Location tagging: Turn off geotagging in camera settings and social apps

• Face recognition: Disable automatic friend tagging (Facebook, Google Photos)

• Activity status: Turn off "Last Active" indicators (Instagram, Facebook Messenger)

• Search engine indexing: Prevent search engines from linking to your profile

What to Share vs. Avoid:

GDPR gives EU users the right to request social platforms delete their data entirely. US users have weaker protections but can use California's CCPA or state privacy laws to limit data sales. Users in regions with government surveillance should be especially cautious about political opinions, religious content, or location data that could be used against them.

9. Provide Only Minimum Information When Creating Accounts

How It Works

Online forms often include required fields (marked with *) and optional fields. Companies use dark patterns to make optional fields look mandatory or pre-check boxes that consent to data sharing, marketing emails, or third-party access. Data minimization means deliberately providing only the information necessary for the service to function and nothing more. This includes using fake birthdates (while keeping your own record), skipping phone numbers when email is sufficient, and unchecking all pre-selected consent boxes.

What Problem It Solves

Every piece of data you provide is another data point to be breached, sold, or used for profiling. Companies often share "optional" information with dozens of third-party partners for advertising and analytics. If breached, attackers inherit all of it. By providing less data upfront, you reduce your exposure across the entire chain of data processors. You also limit how detailed an advertising and behavioral profile companies can build about you.

Best Practices

During Account Creation:

1. Read the form carefully; only fill in fields with asterisks (*)

2. Use email alias instead of real email (see Tip #1)

3. Use temporary phone number if verification code is required

4. Provide fake or partial birthdate unless age verification is legally required (alcohol, gambling)

5. Skip optional fields: phone, address, gender, interests

6. Uncheck all pre-selected boxes (newsletters, data sharing, personalized ads)

Consent Management:

• Cookie banners: Click "Reject All" or "Necessary Only" (never "Accept All")

• Privacy settings: After signup, review account settings and disable data sharing

• Marketing emails: Uncheck "send me offers" boxes

• Third-party sharing: Opt out of "share with partners for research/advertising"

What to Never Provide Unless Absolutely Necessary:

• Social Security Number / National ID (only for banks, government, employers)

• Full birthdate including year (age verification only)

• Home address (unless shipping physical goods)

• Payment card for "free trials" (use virtual card numbers)

Tools to Help:

• Virtual credit cards: Privacy.com (US), Revolut (EU/global), Blur (US)

• Temp phone numbers: See Tip #1 services

• Password manager autofill: Can store fake birthdates and skip auto-fill for optional fields

10. Use a VPN or Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Tasks

How It Works

Public Wi-Fi networks (airports, cafes, hotels, libraries) are unencrypted by default, meaning anyone on the same network can potentially intercept your traffic. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server before traffic reaches the internet. Even if attackers are sniffing the Wi-Fi network, they only see encrypted gibberish. The alternative is to avoid public Wi-Fi entirely for banking, email, work, or shopping by using your cellular data connection instead.

What Problem It Solves

Public Wi-Fi enables several attacks. Packet sniffing captures unencrypted traffic (passwords, session cookies, emails). Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks intercept and modify data between you and websites. Evil twin attacks create fake hotspots that mimic legitimate networks. These attacks can steal login credentials, hijack sessions, inject malware, or track your browsing. A VPN or cellular data eliminates these risks by encrypting traffic or avoiding the untrusted network entirely.

Recommended VPN Services

Paid VPNs (Most Secure):

• Mullvad (~$5/month, no email required, open source, Sweden-based)

• ProtonVPN (free tier available, paid ~$10/month, Switzerland-based, no logs)

• IVPN (~$6/month, privacy-focused, no logs, Gibraltar-based)

• NordVPN (~$12/month, large server network, Panama-based)

• Surfshark (~$13/month, unlimited devices, Netherlands-based)

Free VPNs (Use with Caution):

• ProtonVPN Free (limited servers, trustworthy, Swiss privacy laws)

• Avoid: Most free VPNs fund operations by logging and selling your data

What to Look For:

• No-logs policy (audited if possible)

• WireGuard or OpenVPN protocol support

• Kill switch feature (blocks traffic if VPN disconnects)

• Based in privacy-friendly jurisdiction (Switzerland, Iceland, Panama)

• Avoid: VPNs based in Five Eyes countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) if privacy is critical

Alternative: Use Cellular Data
For quick banking or email checks, disable Wi-Fi and use your phone's cellular connection instead. 4G/5G traffic is encrypted by design and much harder to intercept than public Wi-Fi.

When to Use VPN:

• Any time on public/untrusted Wi-Fi

• Accessing work email or corporate resources remotely

• Banking or shopping on the go

• Traveling internationally

• Bypassing geographic content restrictions (streaming)

When VPN May Not Help:

• VPN doesn't hide activity from the websites you visit (they still see your IP becomes the VPN's IP)

• VPN provider itself can theoretically log your traffic (choose no-log providers)

• VPN doesn't protect against phishing or malware (you still need awareness)

VPNs are legal and widely used in the EU and US. EU users benefit from GDPR protections if choosing EU-based VPN providers. US users should note that VPN providers can be compelled by court order to log data, so choose providers with proven no-log policies. VPNs are restricted or illegal in China, Russia, Iran, UAE, and other authoritarian countries; users there should research local laws and risks before use. Users in countries with weak internet infrastructure may experience slower speeds with VPN encryption.