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Getting the right to privacy is a basic human need and is inalienable for a healthy life. It’s not something to take for granted or let slip away. Despite its importance, we are in a constant battle to protect our privacy. With every new technology introduction, we lose some part of our privacy, knowingly or unknowingly. As said by Humayun Khan, “Many of us are unaware of our own right to privacy and unknowingly share confidential information without proper security measures”. This article will explain why it’s important to understand and protect your privacy in all possible ways.
What Is Privacy?
Privacy is a natural right of individuals where your private sphere is respected and any kind of intrusion is not tolerated. There are data privacy laws in every country that ensure your privacy is not misused. A right to privacy basically means that your personal information should be protected from people who might abuse it.
Why Privacy Matters
The reasons for protecting our privacy are plenty. Let’s look at some key ones:
Protection of Sensitive Personal Information
Data privacy laws play an important role in protecting the privacy of individuals. The laws ensure that any sensitive information about individuals such as their financial records, medical history or other confidential data is not made public without the consent of the person.
Preventing Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious crime wherein an unauthorized person accesses your personal information such as credit card details, social security number and bank accounts and uses it to commit fraud. A breach of privacy can lead to identity theft and you could be at risk of losing your hard-earned money.
Maintaining Your Reputation
Your personal life should not be out in the public domain if you don’t wish to share it. Maintaining privacy helps you maintain your reputation and keep your personal details away from the public scrutiny.
Freedom From Unwanted Attention
Sometimes, people can be over-inquisitive about your life choices. To keep away from unwanted attention and gossip, it’s important to maintain the privacy of your personal information.
Protecting Your Privacy
Taking certain steps to protect your privacy is of utmost importance. Here are some tips to safeguard your privacy:
Be Wary of What You Share Online
Be very careful about what you’re sharing on social media. Even if your profile is on private, it’s still best to avoid sharing anything that you wouldn’t want to see on a public billboard.
Be Wary When You Download Applications
Most applications will ask permission to access personal data such as your contacts, location, and other such details. Read the terms and condition before granting permission and decide what information you’re comfortable sharing.
Check the Security Settings
Having strong passwords can make it difficult for intruders to access your accounts. It’s crucial to have strong passwords that contain more than 12 characters in combination with special symbols and numbers.
Avoid Links from Unverified Sources
You should always be wary of any links or attachments you receive from unknown or unverified sources. Stay away from these links as they can lead to malicious software that can steal your personal data.
Do Not Put too Much Personal Information on Your Website
Make sure that you do not provide too much information on your website. Information such as your contact number, address or other such information can lead to identity theft or other such malicious activities.
Be Careful with Your Public Wi-Fi Connections
Public Wi-Fi connections can be attractive, but they can also be a great source for intruders to capture your information. Therefore, it is important to use a virtual private network (VPN) when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
Use Security Software
Installing a good security software in your computer can help protect your data from malicious softwares. You can use the latest antivirus softwares that come with upgraded security features.
Be Mindful of What You Post Online
Be mindful of what you post online and take time to think about the consequences of sharing something before posting it. Though it’s difficult to control your digital footprint, it’s important to think twice before sharing something online.
Conclusion
It’s essential to understand the importance of privacy and secure our personal information with appropriate security measures. By taking some simple steps, we can protect our privacy and keep our data safe from potential intruders. By respecting other people’s privacy, we can contribute towards a safer and secure cyber space. Privacy is a right we are born with and it is our responsibility to ensure that it is not misused.
