How to Protect Your Privacy in a World That’s Always Online

A few weeks ago, I was looking to buy a DJI Osmo Pocket 3 camera. Just casually browsing. I typed it into a search bar, clicked around a few product reviews, then put my phone down and walked into the kitchen. Not even two minutes later, my Instagram feed served me three camera ads—one for the Osmo, one for a lens attachment, and another from a site I hadn’t even visited.

Now, I work in tech. I know how algorithms work. But in that moment, it still felt weirdly personal—like someone had been in the room with me.

That one moment sent me down a rabbit hole. Not about the camera (though I did end up getting it, and yes—it’s excellent), but about how much we’re giving away without realizing it. Even savvy users are often shocked by how many layers of tracking, sharing, and storing are happening in the background of our daily lives.

And here’s the thing: I’m not anti-tech. I live in this world. I’m not trying to scare you off social media, tell you to throw your phone in a lake, or build a bunker with a flip phone. But I am here to say: you can live online and still protect your digital privacy—if you’re a little more intentional.

Privacy Isn’t About Hiding. It’s About Owning.

One of the biggest misconceptions around digital privacy is that it’s only for people doing something shady or secret. But privacy isn’t about secrecy—it’s about boundaries. About owning what’s yours and choosing when and how it’s shared.

Would you leave your house with every window open and your bank info taped to the front door? No? Then it makes sense to treat your digital home with the same kind of care.

According to a Pew Research study, 79% of U.S. adults say they are concerned about how companies use the data they collect—but less than 20% say they feel confident managing their own data privacy.

That disconnect is real. And the good news? Once you understand the basics, small changes can make a big difference.

1. Start With Your Device—Not Just Your Apps

Your phone and computer are like open doors if they’re not set up properly. It’s tempting to start with apps, but the real foundation is your device settings.

Here's what I check at least once every few months:

• Turn off Bluetooth and Location Services when you’re not using them. Many apps ping your location in the background, which isn’t always necessary.
• Enable automatic software updates. Security patches are often bundled in.
• Use Face ID or fingerprint access when possible—it's harder to hack than a simple password.
• Check app permissions regularly. Some apps don’t need camera access—or your microphone, for that matter.

After updating my phone privacy settings and removing background location from a handful of apps, my battery life improved and the creepy ad-stalking slowed way down.

2. Don’t Just Clear Cookies—Know Who’s Placing Them

Cookies aren't just crumbs on your browser—they’re little data trackers that help sites remember who you are, what you like, and what you looked at three days ago while half-asleep.

Some are helpful (like remembering your login info), but others are just... nosy.

What you can do:

• Use browser extensions like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger to limit third-party tracking.
• Clear cookies weekly if you browse a lot—or use a browser that blocks them automatically (Brave, DuckDuckGo).
• Check "Do Not Track" settings in your browser preferences, even if some companies ignore them, it’s still good hygiene.

And don’t forget incognito mode doesn’t make you invisible. It just doesn’t save your browsing history locally. You’re still visible to your internet service provider and the sites you visit.

3. Rethink Free Wi-Fi (It’s Never Really Free)

I used to work from coffee shops a lot—and I still do. But I no longer log in to public Wi-Fi without a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

Why? Because free Wi-Fi networks are hotspots for man-in-the-middle attacks. Hackers can intercept your connection and skim everything—logins, banking info, even those “safely” encrypted emails.

A few solid VPNs that are easy to use:

• Proton VPN (free and paid versions; solid privacy policies)
• NordVPN (great for beginners and streaming)
• Mullvad (no email required; hardcore privacy types love this one)

If you’re not using a VPN, at least avoid logging into sensitive accounts (like your bank) when you’re on public Wi-Fi.

4. *our Email Is Probably the Weakest Link—Strengthen It

Our email accounts are like digital passports. They hold the keys to almost everything we sign up for. So if your inbox is wide open, so is your life.

What I’ve done that helps:

• Use two-factor authentication (2FA) on every account that allows it—especially email, banking, and cloud storage.
• Create email aliases for shopping or newsletters (Apple and Firefox both offer this, or try a service like SimpleLogin).
• Avoid using your main email address for every new sign-up. If one of those services gets hacked, your primary inbox stays clean.

And please, please don’t reuse passwords. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password makes this easy and secure.

5. The Social Media Layer: Be Intentional, Not Paranoid

Social media is the most obvious “privacy leak,” but here’s the thing—it’s not all bad. It’s just... very exposed by default. So the question isn’t, “Should I delete everything?” It’s, “What do I actually want to share—and why?”

Some ideas that helped me:

• Turn off location tagging unless it’s absolutely relevant.
• Audit your friends or followers list every few months. Dead accounts and strangers don’t need access to your life.
• Remove third-party apps linked to your accounts. You’d be surprised how many random games or sites still have access to your profile.

And finally, don’t post real-time updates when you’re traveling or out of town.*Save the vacation photos for later. It’s not just about showing off—it’s about not broadcasting when your home is empty.

6. Smart Home Devices: Helpful, But Listening

I love smart tech. I’ve got smart lights, smart plugs, and yes, even a voice assistant in the kitchen. But I’ve also gone through and turned off unnecessary “always-listening” features on everything I can.

What to check:

• Review privacy settings on Alexa, Google Home, etc.
• Delete voice recordings regularly. Most devices store them unless you opt out.
• Change default names and access settings. That includes your Wi-Fi network and your router password.

While smartphones typically allow users to manage what data is collected and shared, smart home devices fall short in that department. As a result, 67% of consumers say they’d like an added layer of protection—specifically a cybersecurity feature that guarantees no one else can monitor or control their equipment.

I still use the tech. I just don’t let it use me passively.

7. Be a Little Boring With Your Data

You don’t need to be a ghost, but you can be a little more forgettable. I use a method I call “calculated boredom.”

Here’s how:

• Use different usernames across platforms. Repeating the same handle makes it easy to link your activity across apps.
• Lie on security questions. Seriously—your first pet's name is now “MozartTheRobot.” Just make sure you remember it.
• Don’t overshare personal info on apps that don’t really need it (birthdate, hometown, etc.). It’s not always mandatory.

The more friction you add, the harder it is for companies—or bad actors—to build a detailed profile of you.

8. Teach Your Friends and Family to Respect Your Privacy, Too

This one’s personal. I once had a relative tag me in a family photo that revealed not only my exact apartment complex but the inside layout of my home. They meant no harm—but it reminded me that privacy isn’t just about what you do. It’s also what others share about you.

You can:

• Ask friends not to tag your location in posts.
• Be clear about what’s okay to share from your life.
• Politely request photo removal if something feels uncomfortable.

It’s not being controlling. It’s being consensual—with your digital presence, and theirs.

Life in 5

• Treat your phone like your house. Lock the doors, close the blinds, and know who has keys.
• Privacy is a boundary, not a bunker. You don’t need to disappear to protect your data—you just need a plan.
• Small shifts add up fast. One new setting tweak might block hundreds of trackers.
• Teach your tools to serve you—not sell you. That means opting out, asking questions, and checking defaults.
• Your digital life deserves the same respect as your physical one. Set it up accordingly.

Boundaries Make You Brighter

Protecting your privacy doesn’t mean you’re paranoid. It means you’re paying attention—to what you value, to where you spend your energy, and to who gets access to your world.

We’ve normalized giving so much of ourselves away—our habits, our preferences, our real-time thoughts—without asking if it’s actually serving us. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to opt out of tech to reclaim your digital power.

You just need to become more discerning* More awake to the quiet agreements we sign without reading. More curious about where our data goes—and more bold about where we draw the line.

So no, I didn’t stop shopping online or sharing with friends. But I did start building a little more friction between myself and the constant reach of the online world. Not to hide—but to protect what matters.

And it turns out, privacy feels pretty powerful.