How to Avoid Being Tracked Online

With the role of the internet in modern business, it’s nearly impossible to avoid the many sites that are pulling information from you. Whether it’s Google or your social networks, every time to browse the internet, your activity it tracked to sell to marketers.

Fortunately, there are a few ways you can avoid being tracked online and keep your data protected.

Tracking IDs

“Cookies” are data files that are stored in your browser and have a unique ID to track your activity. This allows advertising networks to use your browsing information to market different products or services.

You can reset your cookie ID by taking the time to clear your cookies on a regular basis. You can also browse the internet in private mode to limit the use of cookies, but it’s not complete anonymity.

The drawback to clearing cookies is that it also wipes your login information and prevents certain websites from displaying.

Location

Location information is important for many different apps or sites, such as your navigation services or some video services, but it’s not necessary for every site. Your location services can be used to monitor your location and activity online.

Your location services can easily be disabled in your phone’s settings, fortunately, and you can choose to disable them only for specific apps. Some apps won’t work without your location, however, so it’s better to choose individual apps to disable these services.

Login

Online accounts are needed for most sites, but they’re also a great way to track you online. Social networks, Google and many shopping or information sites require a login to work properly.

It’s impossible to avoid all the account logins, but you can still minimize your use of accounts. If you’re shopping on a website, don’t make an account until you need to, and avoid using ID information whenever possible. You can also create different emails to connect with different accounts to limit tracking, though that’s inconvenient.

IP Address

Your Internet Protocol (IP) address shows your location information on your phone or computer to give you messages and load websites. These can also help companies track you across all your devices as well since there’s typically only one IP address for a home network.

You can mask your IP address, however. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can route your internet traffic through separate IP addresses, and a TOR browser will reroute traffic through third-party servers to make you more difficult to track effectively.

The drawbacks here are that a TOR browser isn’t a high speed, so your internet performance will suffer. VPNs are safe and effective, but you need to be sure that you trust the provider.

Protect Your Business’s Data

Avoiding internet tracking is beneficial in any environment, but it becomes far more important when you own a business.

If you want to avoid tracking and protect valuable data from being accessed from your business, you may want to consider a small business computer consultant from U.S. Computer Connection. We can help you set up your business’s system and network for success and keep your assets protected online, so call or visit us today to discuss our services!