Internet Privacy - some basic thoughts

Do not become paranoid and limit your online pleasure and convenience. Remember that any access to the internet can involve a certain amount of risk to your privacy.

That said, here is a few thoughts that we have came up with over the years since we have been using the internet.

Do not store anything on your device, that you connect to the internet, that could compromise your privacy (documents, photos, …). If you use your phone to take personal pictures or video (regardless of the content), always transfer them to another device or offline storage, before connecting.

(we think that is even somewhat risky, due to possible caching on some systems -- we suggest using a dedicated camera, rather than your phone)

Never give any personal information to anyone that emails, text messages or contacts you in any way via the internet, regardless of who they may identify themselves as (even if you think it is them). We have been contacted on numerous occasions by persons identifying themselves as friends, celebrities, government officials and businesses, who were not. --- they can create fake and clone accounts of other people/entities to look even more legitimate

Never give unnecessary personal information to seemingly legitimate websites (email, web hosts, …). There is no reason for a free email or web hosting provider to require your actual address, phone number, date of birth, name or email address. If they ask, try using some slightly erroneous information (such as 15555555555 for the phone number, or a Tempmail email address), if the system rejects it. --- well, it is up to you to decide if you really need their service or not. --- I actually had free web hosting systems ask for, and tell me that a high school (of all things) that I gave in the signup did not exist …

(just for you to consider; there are legitimate systems that will accept totally bogus information when you sign up for a free account (Gmail is one) --- I'm just saying) 

Limit your online activity to online related things.

For instance; pay only the bills and do business which are related to, or actually require internet access (Amazon, PayPal, …). Search for and discuss only things that do not compromise your privacy. For instance: avoid heavy discussions on politically volatile subjects.

If you can contact other people directly, by phone or with text messaging (SMS), use those ways instead of email or any online messaging service (WhatsApp, Signal, …).

Use a web browser that automatically clears all the data when you close the app (such as Firefox).

Use only apps that you need, or that are convenient to do so. For instance; if you use X all day long, then use the app, but if you read or post only occasionally, use a browser to do it on the website.

Install a firewall, only allowing internet access though it, and initially block everything. Then allow only those apps that need access for things to function correctly (Firefox, YouTube, some system apps, …). Block all the arbitrary apps (especially those used only occasionally) that you occasionally use, when not actually using them (Blogger, X, …). If it does not require internet access to function, leave it blocked (Clock, Calculator, …) Specifically block both Wi-Fi and Data access, even if you only use one or the other. --- be aware, some apps, when blocked, can interestingly go though the Google Play Service on some Android phones (watch the firewall logs to spot those)

Set firewall rules for apps that do need internet access, do not leave it wide open. For instance; if there is no practical reason for an app to access a Facebook server, and you see it doing that, then block it on the rules for that app. Most internet apps use port 443, so specifically allow only that port, not "*". --- there are a few exceptions, such as some email apps that may use other ports

Shut down all the apps not being actively used, especially those used only occasionally. Which also frees up some of your devices memory usage. On some Android phones, in Settings/Apps & notifications, select the individual app and use the "Force stop" feature . Also in the Advanced/Battery screen, set the battery Background restriction to Restricted, which prevents some (not all) apps from starting on the startup of your phone. Some apps will start/restart themselves, regardless of these settings. If not really needed, consider disabling or uninstalling those. However, some Google apps, on some Android phones, are notoriously persistent in restarting themselves and other related apps.

On some Android phones, in Settings/Apps & notifications, select an app and click Permissions. Allow the app to have only the permissions needed. For instance; If a word processor app has no need to make phone calls, then don't allow it to have phone permission. Unfortunately, on some Android phones, there are many extra permissions that can not easily be removed. Click the three dots and click "All permissions" to see those. --- interesting, isn't it? 

--- You can not have 100% privacy online, unless you are a highly skilled hacker that knows how to completely circumvent the system (which is usually illegal), --- and even then, some of those can be traced.

And of course, not necessarily internet related, but; keep your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off (preferably running in Airplane mode) unless you are using them. --- turning your device off (when not in use) can also be a big help in protecting your privacy.