Simple Steps to Protect Your Privacy Online 

Content created in partnership with DuckDuckGo

Many people believe that they can't do anything to protect their privacy online, but that’s not true! If you’re tired of being tracked online, we can help with some tips to protect yourself.

Top Online Privacy Tips: 

Search More Privately — Use private browsers, such as DuckDuckGo Private Search, so that you can search the web without being tracked.

Minimize Website Tracking — Block hidden third party trackers, which will stop the companies behind those trackers from collecting and selling your data.

Enforce Encryption — It is best to use an encrypted (HTTPS) connection in order to protect your data from prying eyes like ISPs and hackers. For more information, check out “How to Encrypt Your Devices.”

Taking control of your privacy doesn't have to mean making tradeoffs. While privacy and security are not the same, if your accounts are not secured, your privacy is at risk. That’s why we also recommend you take these additional, simple steps to increase your security:

Update your software — Your device operating systems get out-of-date over time, and old software can contain security bugs that could leak personal data. Set your devices (and the apps on them) to update automatically. That way you'll always have the latest, safest versions.

Use a password manager — Have you ever used the same password on more than one website? If the answer is yes, then your privacy may be compromised due to data leaks. You can check to see if your email has been involved in a data breach here.

Don't worry, the fix is easy: start creating unique passwords for every website you use. That may sound like a lot of work, but it’s not when you use a password manager. Password managers generate and store secure passwords for you automatically. Many browsers now have them built in. You can also use tools like Dashlane or 1Password, which work across multiple browsers.

Set up two-factor authentication — Two-factor authentication (also known as multi-step login) is where you use a code to log in to websites in addition to your password. You should set up two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible, and certainly on your major accounts (email, financial, etc.). You can check if major sites have it available here, which also links directly to the right documentation pages.

Content created in partnership with DuckDuckGo. Content for informational purposes only. References to third party services are informational only, have not necessarily been vetted by, and are not explicity endorsed by, Visa.