For example, use a password manager, use 2FA.
Things I do what give me a percieved sense of privacy/ security:
- use Firefox with Add-ons (Ublock origin, Idontcareaboutcookies, Istilldontcareaobutcookies, Consent Blocker)
- browser set up to block third party cookies and to delete any cookies after closing
- not allowing to store any credentials in the browser
- using different passwords for different services (not one password for all)
- using Two-Factor-Authentification on services which are connected with banking account
- not using freemail providers for email
- using a temporary email where possible if registration is required
- encrypted hard drive and encrypted backups
- do not use cloud storage (I rely on old school portable hard drives and thumb drives)
- using an additional firewall to stop certain not-quite-legally-obtained programs from phoning home (these programs can’t be replaced through FOSS at the moment, or are too ridiculously overpriced to buy them right now)
- restrict/ forbid operating system to collect anonymous data and to phone home (as if that helps…)
- don’t do online banking with an android 8 device
The password storage thing sometimes seems to be a hassle. I have stored my passwords in a physical moleskin, written with a pen, like an old person would do. When I have that book not availiable (when travellling), I have to guess my credentials.
At work I have the browser stored all the credentials. It’s so much faster and easier. But since it’s at my job I don’t have to worry about my own private stuff.
- I never type the password of my computer in front of anyone or under any security cameras
- I have a password manager
- I spent lots of time reading about aliens so they know not to mess with me
- I acknowledge my surveillance officers and have chats with them via my computer’s camera, so if I’m ever in a pickle they’re friendly with me
Taking the time to refuse all the cookies, every time I visit a website.
Going through all of Google, Facebook and other services settings to disable every tracking possible, especially towards ads.
I can tell that ads are less and less relevant.
That’s actually a big one for me too. I have an extension running called “minimal consent” but it’s deprecated and never managed the more complicated dialogues. I also disable personalised ads on every platform (often defaults to enabled)
It’s sometimes annoying but all in all, I get the most random ads and i’m happy about it.
As a rule of thumb, if the cookie dialogue does that spinny “saving prefernces” loading screen for more than 10 seconds, the page probably wasn’t worth my click anyway and I close it.
