Every time you browse the web, read your email, shop online, or use an app, you’re sharing small pieces of information about yourself. Much of this data helps websites function properly or remember your preferences, but it can also be used to personalize advertisements, recommend content, measure engagement, and build a detailed picture of your online habits.
In this guide, we’ll explore practical ways to better protect your privacy while still enjoying the convenience of the internet.
You’ve probably heard the saying:
“If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product.”
While memorable, this saying oversimplifies a more complicated reality. Even paid services may collect information about how you use them. The important questions aren’t simply whether data is collected—they’re what information is collected, why it’s collected, and who has access to it.
The good news is that you have choices. By understanding how websites and apps collect information, you can make informed decisions about the services you use and the amount of personal information you share.
What Information Do Websites Collect?
Most websites, apps, and online services collect some combination of information, including:
- Your approximate location
- The device you’re using
- Your web browser
- Your operating system
- Websites you visit
- Search history
- Products you browse
- Purchases you make
- Videos you watch
- How long you stay on a page
- Which links you click
- Apps you use
- Contacts you choose to share
On their own, these pieces of information may not reveal very much. Over weeks, months, or even years, however, they can be combined to create a detailed digital profile that helps companies personalize your experience, recommend content, improve their services, and deliver targeted advertising.
Fortunately, you don’t have to accept every form of tracking. There are several simple changes you can make to better protect your privacy online.
Email and Privacy
Email contains some of your most important personal information, including conversations with friends and family, financial documents, account recovery links, receipts, and passwords. Choosing an email provider that respects your privacy can help reduce the amount of information collected or used to personalize online services.
Many free email providers offer excellent security features such as spam filtering, phishing protection, and malware detection. These automated systems process email to help keep your inbox secure and provide useful features. While this processing is generally automated rather than people reading your messages, some users prefer services that collect as little information as possible.
If privacy is one of your priorities, consider an email provider designed to protect your data.
Privacy-Focused Email Providers
Proton Mail
Based in Switzerland, Proton Mail operates under strong privacy laws and offers end-to-end encryption between Proton Mail users.
Highlights
- Free plan available
- End-to-end encryption
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Strong privacy protections
- Minimal data collection
HEY
HEY takes a different approach to email by putting users in control of who can contact them. New senders must first receive your approval before appearing in your inbox.
Because HEY is subscription-based, it doesn’t rely on advertising revenue or building advertising profiles from your email activity.
Highlights
- No advertising
- No tracking for targeted ads
- Sender screening
- Paid subscription
Browse the Web with More Privacy
Every website you visit can collect information such as your browser, device type, approximate location, and browsing activity. Many websites also use cookies and third-party trackers to understand how visitors interact with their pages.
Most browsers include Private Browsing (also called Incognito Mode), which prevents your browser from saving your history, cookies, and form data after you close the window.
It’s important to remember that Private Browsing does not make you anonymous online. Websites, your internet service provider, your employer, or your school may still be able to see your activity.
For stronger day-to-day privacy, consider using a browser designed to reduce tracking automatically.
Brave
Brave blocks many advertisements and online trackers by default without requiring additional extensions.
Highlights
- Built-in tracker blocking
- Strong privacy defaults
- Private Search available
- Familiar Chrome-like experience
Firefox
Firefox, developed by Mozilla, comes from a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping the web open and accessible.
It includes Enhanced Tracking Protection, which blocks many common online trackers without breaking most websites.
Highlights
- Enhanced Tracking Protection
- Open source
- Highly customizable
- Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iPhone
Safari
If you use a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, Safari already includes several privacy features.
Safari includes Intelligent Tracking Prevention, which helps reduce cross-site tracking automatically, along with Private Browsing for sessions you don’t want saved on your device.
To always open Safari in a Private Window on macOS:
- Open Safari.
- Select Safari → Settings.
- Open the General tab.
- Next to Safari opens with, choose A New Private Window.
Search Without Being Profiled
The questions we ask search engines can reveal a great deal about our interests, hobbies, shopping habits, travel plans, and everyday concerns.
Traditional search engines may use this information to personalize advertisements and search results.
If you’d rather search the web without creating a detailed search history tied to your identity, there are excellent alternatives.
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo doesn’t build a personal search profile or track individual searches.
Highlights
- Doesn’t track individual users
- Works with any web browser
- Free to use
Startpage
Startpage delivers Google search results while removing much of the tracking associated with searching directly through Google.
Highlights
- Strong European privacy protections
- Search Without Being Profiled
- Google-quality search results
- No personalized advertising
Consider Using a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts the connection between your device and a VPN provider. This helps protect your internet traffic, especially when using public Wi-Fi in places such as coffee shops, airports, hotels, or libraries.
A VPN can help:
- Encrypt your internet connection
- Make it more difficult for others on the same network to monitor your activity
- Protect your information while using public Wi-Fi
A VPN does not:
- Prevent websites from collecting information you choose to provide
- Stop tracking cookies by itself
- Make you completely anonymous online
A Virtual Private Network is one useful privacy tool, but it works best when combined with good browsing habits and privacy-focused services.
If you’d like a simple introduction, watch our SDM Tech Short: What is a VPN? For a more detailed explanation, NordVPN also provides an excellent beginner-friendly guide explaining how VPNs work and when they’re useful.
Additional Privacy Tips
Even small changes can make a meaningful difference.
- Keep your web browser up to date.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever it’s available.
- Use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords.
- Review app permissions regularly.
- Remove browser extensions you no longer use.
- Consider using an ad blocker to reduce online tracking.
- Be cautious when clicking links in emails or text messages.
- Review the privacy settings on your most-used apps every few months.
Summary
Protecting your privacy online doesn’t mean disappearing from the internet—it means understanding what information you’re sharing and making informed choices about the services you use.
You don’t need to change everything overnight. Switching to a privacy-focused browser, trying a private search engine, reviewing your app permissions, or using a VPN on public Wi-Fi can significantly reduce how much information is collected about you.
Privacy isn’t about having something to hide. It’s about maintaining control over your personal information in a world where data has become increasingly valuable. Small changes today can help you build safer online habits for years to come.
Whether you’re checking email, shopping online, or simply browsing the web, taking a few minutes to review your privacy settings is well worth the effort.
If you’d like help choosing a privacy-focused browser, setting up a more secure email provider, learning about VPNs, or improving your online security, SDM Foundation is here to help.
Questions? Give us a call or stop by. All of our technology assistance is completely free.
