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We live in an age of digital connectivity where protecting your online privacy has become more crucial than ever. Recently, I spoke to a parent of a student here at Union University who shared an incident about his son who nearly had fallen victim to an elaborate phishing scam where the financial impact could have been devastating.

Sadly, this story is all too common. I hear similar stories from family members and friends weekly. Fortunately for this student, his parents knew some of the telltale signs to watch for and took actions to prevent a major loss of personal data and financial resources for their family.

What can you do? Here are five essential tips to help you safeguard your digital life.

1. Control your digital footprint.

I'm amazed by the amount of information some people share online about their personal lives. It's vital to manage what you share publicly and what you keep private. Have you ever Googled your name to understand your current online presence? Adjust privacy settings on social media and be mindful of the personal information you share on websites or online forums.

2. Use privacy-focused browsers and search engines.

Google and Microsoft are not your friends when it comes to your personal privacy. Opt for browsers and search engines that prioritize user privacy. Tools like DuckDuckGo, Brave or Tor don't track your searches or visit history. They can significantly reduce your digital footprint and protect your data from advertisers and malicious entities.

3. Be careful with social media sharing.

Social media is a double-edged sword. While it's a great tool for staying connected, it can also expose you to privacy risks. Limit the amount of personal information you share, customize your privacy settings and be wary of who you're adding as a friend or follower. Not everyone is your friend!

4. Regularly review app permissions.

Mobile and desktop apps can access a wealth of your personal data. Regularly review the permissions you've granted to ensure they're necessary for the app's functionality. If an app requests access to your location, contacts or camera, and it doesn't need this for its primary function, consider denying these permissions.

5. Understand cookies and tracking.

Cookies and other tracking technologies are used by websites to store information about your browsing habits. While some are necessary for website functionality, others track your activity across multiple sites for targeted advertising. Use browser settings and tools to manage these cookies and consider using ad blockers to limit tracking.

For example, Google has expanded its features to better "track" your activity. If you want to keep this information private, go to settings in Google, select sync and Google services and turn off all of the services that report your browsing activity to Google and its affiliates.

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MORE INFO:

For general tips and advice about online safety, visit StopThinkConnect.org.

DID YOU KNOW?

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Union recently launched the cybersecurity degree program that will provide a world class cybersecurity education with a Christian foundation. Students will learn the what, when, why and how of cybersecurity and be able to materially contribute on their first day at work.