How to Protect Online Reputation – Protection of Privacy

The trace we leave when browsing the Internet makes up our digital identity and, with it, our online reputation, and we must protect it.

Nowadays, we all turn to different online services that make our lives easier. In its use and through the information requested from us, we can publish data about who we are, where we live or work, and what our tastes, hobbies, or interests are. 

We also publish details through photos or videos, for example. We do all of this without realizing that we are putting our privacy at risk, and, furthermore, we will be more likely to be victims of some type of fraud or to suffer the negative consequences of that public exposure, whether due to reputational damage or otherwise. 

We talk about risks such as theft or identity theft, surveillance, extortion, discrimination, sexting, doxingor, different frauds, and threats. Knowing them is crucial to being aware of what we expose ourselves to by carrying out certain actions in our digital lives.

Create strong passwords and do not share them; use two-factor authentication; limit the personal information we share; avoid risky practices, such as sexting; review the privacy settings of the services we use; Do not share personal information on websites that are not secure and keep everything updated, these are tips to protect our privacy adequately.

If we think about social networks, we imagine the window through which we communicate with others. But, it is through this window that our privacy is also filtered; therefore, carrying out responsible practices in the use of social networks will protect us from risks and intrusions into our privacy but will also help us maintain control over our personal information.

Have you ever tried searching for information about yourself in web browsers? The practice is called egosurfing, and it will help us know what image we project online and what is said about us. Thus, we will evaluate the results and take measures to mitigate the impact that anything published that is negative, or that could seriously damage our honor and privacy has on our reputation.

And would you know what to do in case your data, within an online service you use, has been leaked? Whether a company has suffered unauthorized access to its systems or for any other reason, it is important to take quick and effective measures to protect our privacy and minimize possible damage. 

We must review unusual movements in our accounts, change our passwords, notify the online service provider, or contact our financial institution if necessary.