It is amazing how much data people put on the internet. Credit card information, online shopping, personal information on social media, emails between colleagues, chat in apps like WhatsApp. There is a lot to worry about.
Most people still neglect protecting their online data from hackers and various attacks. It is worth considering an attack from a hacker's point of view: what data is interesting to attackers? Just as life circumstances change, your data priorities may too.
Who to worry about
Criminal hackers. The most obvious and most dangerous group. They can attack any system if they put their mind to it, dropping ransomware or malware via hacked social media or spam. Normally motivated by money. Measures against dedicated criminal hackers work against all levels of hacking: lock systems up, back up data, make it difficult.
Marketers and legitimate businesses. Almost all personal information is on different sites and available to third parties. Public records, your Netflix viewing patterns, political preferences. The concern is third parties tracking your every move and personalising their marketing. Encrypt and defend your identity, manage cookie preferences.
Governments. Some level of anxiety about state surveillance is healthy. Some countries have a worse track record than others. Know how much you worry about each group; this guides your protection. Tor browsers, encrypted communication channels, VPNs.
The point
Mix cyber self-defence technologies. Use encrypted messaging for organising activities. Turn on basic security layers for personal social and online activities. Protect financial data: use VPNs and security-enhancing tools when working with financial information.
Originally published 2 June 2017. Migrated to the new IRC site in 2026.