5 Online Privacy Tips From Edward Snowden

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In today’s world, online privacy is not just a concern for those who have something to hide. With intelligence agencies, advertisers, social networks, and even email companies collecting vast amounts of personal data, protecting your privacy online is a necessity for everyone. Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor turned whistleblower, has consistently highlighted the importance of safeguarding personal information in the digital age. He has shared numerous insights on how individuals can protect their online privacy. Below, we explore five key tips from Snowden on how to better secure your online activities.

1. Avoid Popular Online Consumer Services Like Google, Facebook, and Dropbox

Many people are heavily reliant on popular online services such as Google, Facebook, and Dropbox. While these platforms offer convenience, Snowden warns that their data privacy practices are far from adequate. These companies collect massive amounts of user data for targeted advertising and other purposes. Google and Facebook, despite efforts to improve privacy controls, have been involved in numerous privacy scandals over the years. Snowden stresses that these services are not secure enough for users who wish to protect their privacy. For instance, Google tracks users’ search history, location, and online behavior, while Facebook tracks interactions and gathers a vast amount of personal data from its users’ profiles and their friends.

Dropbox, a widely-used cloud storage service, also poses privacy risks. Snowden criticized Dropbox for lacking local encryption. Local encryption ensures that the data stored on servers is unreadable to anyone, including the service provider. Without local encryption, Dropbox can access and potentially share your data with others. Snowden suggests alternatives like SpiderOak, which offers local encryption. With SpiderOak, the data is encrypted on your device before it is uploaded to the server, making it inaccessible even to the service provider.

2. Encrypt Your Hard Drive

Encryption is one of the most effective ways to protect your personal data, especially if your computer is lost or stolen. Snowden refers to encryption as the “defense against the dark arts” of the digital world. Encryption protects the contents of your hard drive from unauthorized access, ensuring that even if someone physically steals your device, they cannot easily access your files. Many modern operating systems come with built-in encryption tools. For example, Windows users can use BitLocker, which is available with Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise, as well as Windows 8.1 Pro and Enterprise. Mac users can enable FileVault 2, a built-in encryption tool for OS X. Linux users can use the Linux Unified Key Setup (LUKS), which is available in distributions like Ubuntu.

If your operating system does not offer built-in encryption or you prefer an external solution, third-party tools like Symantec’s Endpoint Encryption are available. This solution not only encrypts your hard drive but also offers protection for removable media like USB drives, ensuring that all your data is secure no matter where it’s stored. Symantec’s Endpoint Encryption provides an added layer of security and helps protect against data loss. It’s a solid option for those who need extra protection and are willing to pay for it.

3. Avoid Online Tracking With Browser Plug-ins

Tracking is an integral part of online advertising. Advertisers track your online activity to create detailed profiles for targeted ads. However, this tracking is not limited to just advertisers. Social networks, search engines, and even websites you visit track your behavior for various purposes. Even if you appreciate the customized shopping experience that comes from this data collection, it’s important to remember that others can also access your online activities.

Snowden recommends using browser plug-ins that block trackers to enhance privacy. Many browsers, such as Chrome and Internet Explorer, offer built-in “Do Not Track” features, but these settings are not always effective. A more reliable solution is to use browser plug-ins like Ghostery, which detect and block trackers. Ghostery is available for several browsers, including Chrome, Opera, Firefox, and Safari, and can also be installed on mobile browsers. This plug-in gives you the option to see the number of trackers detected and allows you to block them all at once. Using a plug-in like Ghostery adds an extra layer of privacy and prevents your online activity from being monitored.

4. Encrypt Online Communications in Chat and Email

In addition to encrypting your data and browsing activity, it’s also crucial to encrypt your communications. Email and online chats are common methods of communication, and without encryption, they are vulnerable to interception. Snowden emphasizes the importance of using encrypted communication services to protect your privacy. For email encryption, you can use tools like Microsoft Outlook’s built-in encryption options or web-based services like Hushmail. Hushmail automatically encrypts your emails, ensuring that only the intended recipient can read the message.

For chat communication, Snowden recommends services like ChatCrypt, which encrypts messages before they are sent. ChatCrypt ensures that your messages are visible only to the recipient who has the correct password. This level of encryption is essential to protect sensitive conversations from being intercepted by unauthorized parties. Services like Silent Circle also offer encrypted voice, text, video, and file transfers for mobile users. Silent Circle is an excellent choice for individuals and businesses looking for robust encryption for their communications.

5. Use Tor for Anonymous Online Browsing

Tor (The Onion Router) is a widely known tool for achieving anonymity while browsing the internet. Tor works by routing your communications through a network of relays, making it difficult to trace your online activities. The main advantage of Tor is its ability to conceal your physical location, making it harder for websites to track your movements and collect data about you. Tor is an open-source project that aims to protect users’ privacy while allowing them to access content that might otherwise be restricted in certain regions.

Despite its many advantages, Tor is not infallible. The creators of Tor openly admit that it cannot solve all anonymity issues. While Tor is an excellent tool for protecting the transport of data, it does not protect against all forms of surveillance. However, it remains one of the best options for those who want to enhance their online anonymity. Using Tor, you can access the web with a higher level of privacy than traditional browsers.

The Importance of a Multi-Layered Approach to Privacy

Snowden’s tips highlight that no single tool or practice can guarantee complete privacy. Protecting your online privacy requires a combination of strategies. By avoiding major consumer services that collect extensive data, encrypting your hard drive, using privacy-focused browser plug-ins, encrypting your communications, and utilizing Tor, you can significantly reduce the risk of having your personal information exposed.

It’s important to remember that online privacy is not just about protecting yourself from government surveillance. Advertisers, hackers, and other entities are constantly collecting data to track your behavior and potentially misuse it. Using the tools and practices recommended by Snowden can help safeguard your personal information against a variety of threats.

The digital landscape continues to evolve, and with it, the need to stay vigilant about online privacy. Snowden’s tips serve as a valuable guide for anyone looking to take proactive steps in securing their personal information. Whether you are concerned about government surveillance or simply want to prevent companies from tracking your every move, following these best practices can go a long way in ensuring your online privacy.

Being aware of protecting online privacy involves using a combination of tools to safeguard personal information from various threats, including advertisers, hackers, and bots. Hence, S3 Corp., a web and mobile application development company, prioritizes security to ensure the delivery of high-quality products and services.

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About author

Thao Nguyen

I am working as a Marketer at S3Corp. I am a fan of photography, technology, and design. I’m also interested in entrepreneurship and writing.

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