Loyalty cards and reward programs are effective marketing strategies that aim to increase customer loyalty and retention. Offering customers various benefits and rewards, such as discounts, cash back, points, or freebies, loyalty cards, and reward programs, encourage customers to shop more frequently and spend more at certain online stores or businesses.This can increase customer satisfaction, engagement, and lifetime value, reducing acquisition costs and slow seasons.
However, by signing up for these loyalty programs, customers often share their personal information, such as their name, email, address, phone number, or date of birth, with the store or the third-party company that manages the program. This information can be used to track their shopping habits, preferences, and spending patterns and to send them personalized offers, advertisements, or surveys.
Some of this information may also be shared or sold to other businesses or partners, which can increase their exposure to spam, phishing, or identity theft. Moreover, loyalty cards and reward programs can be vulnerable to data breaches or cyberattacks, which can expose or steal customers’ information and credit or debit card information linked to their loyalty cards or reward programs. This can lead to fraud, unauthorized purchases or transactions, or even synthetic identity creation.
The Temptation of Discounts
“Get 10% off your next purchase!” The allure of discounts is hard to resist. Whether it’s your favorite coffee shop, grocery store, or clothing brand, loyalty cards promise immediate gratification. Swipe, scan, or tap, and voilà! You’ve shaved a few dollars off your bill. But what’s the actual cost?
The Price of Personal Data
1. Tracking Your Every Move
Loyalty cards are like digital breadcrumbs. They follow you from aisle to aisle, noting your preferences, purchase history, and the time of day you shop. Retailers analyze this data to create detailed profiles. Suddenly, your love for organic produce and late-night snack runs becomes part of a larger narrative—a story they can sell to advertisers.
2. The Privacy Paradox
We willingly surrender our data for discounts, blissfully unaware of the implications. The paradox lies in this: We guard our physical wallets but fling open the doors to our digital lives. Our shopping habits, dietary choices, and brand loyalties are laid bare. And while we save a few bucks, our privacy slips through the cracks.
3. The Third-Party Tango
Ever wonder why you receive eerily relevant ads? It’s not magic; it’s data sharing. Loyalty programs often collaborate with third parties—marketing firms, credit card companies, and data brokers. Your loyalty card details become currency, exchanged for targeted ads. Suddenly, that personalized coupon feels less like a gift and more like a transaction.
Navigating the Maze
So, how do we navigate this maze of discounts and data? Here are a few tips:
Opt for Anonymity: Use a secondary email address and a pseudonym when signing up for loyalty programs. Keep your real identity under wraps.
Read the Fine Print: Those tiny font sizes matter. Understand what data you’re sharing and how it’s used. Knowledge is power.
Limit Your Loyalties: Do you need ten loyalty cards? Be selective. Choose the ones that truly benefit you.
Conclusion
Next time you reach for that loyalty card, pause. Consider the trade-off. Is the discount worth the digital breadcrumbs you leave behind? Perhaps, sometimes, paying the total price is the real bargain—for your privacy.
Remember, in the grand theater of discounts and data, you’re both the audience and the star. Choose your role wisely.
Privacy Hive has written several blog posts about Firefox, a popular web browser that offers many features and options to customize your browsing experience. Individuals with a high personal risk profile, such as those who handle sensitive information or are in the public eye, may need to take additional precautions to protect their digital privacy. One of these options is the Firefox configuration manager, which allows you to view and modify advanced settings that are not available in the regular settings menu. This blog post will explain how to access the configuration manager and what privacy-related settings you can change to enhance your online privacy.
How to Access the Configuration Manager
To access the configuration manager, type “about:config” in the address bar and press Enter. You will then see a warning page that says, “This might void your warranty.” This is because changing some of the settings may affect the stability and security of Firefox. Therefore, you should only proceed if you know what you are doing and be careful not to change anything you are unsure about. To continue, click “Accept the Risk and Continue”. You will then see a list of preferences, each with a status, type, and value. You can use the search box at the top to filter the list by preference name.
What Privacy-Related Settings to Change
Many preferences affect your privacy in different ways. Some relate to how Firefox handles cookies, tracking, fingerprinting, geolocation, WebRTC, and other features that may expose your personal information or online behavior to third parties. Here are some of the more important preferences that you can change to enhance your privacy:
browser.safebrowsing.phishing.enabled. If this setting is “true,” Google can scan and store the sites you visit for the presence of malware. Set this value to false.
privacy.firstparty.isolate – This preference isolates all browser identifier sources (e.g., cookies) to the first-party domain to prevent tracking across different domains. To enable this feature, set the value to true.
Privacy.trackingprotection.enabled – This blocks website tracking. Set the value to true.
privacy.resistFingerprinting – This preference makes Firefox more resistant to browser fingerprinting, a technique that uses various characteristics of your browser and device to identify you uniquely. To enable this feature, set the value to true.
dom.battery.enabled—This technique tracks your battery usage. To block this information, set it to false.
network.cookie.cookieBehavior – This preference controls how Firefox handles cookies, which are small pieces of data that websites store on your browser to remember your preferences, login details, or other information. Third parties can also use cookies for tracking purposes. To block third-party cookies, set the value to 1. To block all cookies, set the value to 2.
network.cookie.lifetimePolicy – This preference controls how long cookies are stored on your browser. To delete cookies at the end of the session, set the value to 2. To delete cookies after a certain number of days, set the value to 3 and specify the number of days in the network.cookie.lifetime.days.preference.
network.http.referer.trimmingPolicy – This preference controls how much information is sent in the Referer header, which tells the website you are visiting where you came from. This can reveal your browsing history or other sensitive information. To send only the scheme, host, and port in the Referer header, set the value to 2.
network.http.referer.XOriginPolicy—This preference controls when to send the Referer header across origins, which are different websites or subdomains. Set the value to 2 to send the header only when the full hostnames match.
network.http.referer.XOriginTrimmingPolicy – This preference controls how much information is sent in the Referer header across origins. To send only the scheme, host, and port in the Referer header of cross-origin requests, set the value to 2.
geo.enabled – This preference controls whether Firefox allows websites to access your geolocation, which can reveal your physical location. To disable geolocation, set the value to false.
media.navigator.enabled – This preference controls whether Firefox allows websites to access your microphone and camera, which can reveal your identity or surroundings. To disable media access, set the value to false.
media.peerconnection.enabled—This preference controls whether Firefox supports WebRTC, which allows real-time communication between browsers, such as video calls or file sharing. However, WebRTC can leak your IP address, even when using a VPN. To disable WebRTC, set the value to false.
Conclusion
By changing these settings, you can improve your privacy and reduce the risk of being tracked, identified, or exposed by websites or third parties. However, these settings are not a complete solution. You should also use other tools and methods mentioned in other Privacy Hive blog posts to protect your online privacy, such as a VPN and browser extensions blocking ads and trackers. You should also review your settings regularly and update your browser to the latest version. If you have other suggested configuration changes, please let us know. Stay safe, and happy browsing!
In today’s digital landscape, search engines are pivotal in our lives. Whether researching a topic, shopping for products, or seeking answers to burning questions, search engines are our gateway to the vast online universe. However, not all search engines are created equal. Privacy-focused search engines have emerged as a crucial alternative for users who value online privacy. Let’s explore why they matter and the pros and cons of three popular options: DuckDuckGo, Startpage, and Searx.
Why Privacy-Focused Search Engines Matter
1. Safeguarding Your Data
Most mainstream search engines act as data collection tools for advertising companies. They track your every move, collecting information like your IP address, search queries, and browsing history. Your private details—medical conditions, political beliefs, financial information—are all fair game. These data points create detailed digital profiles, and you unwittingly become the product. Privacy-focused search engines, on the other hand, prioritize your anonymity. They do not collect, share, or sell personal data, ensuring your searches remain private and confidential.
2. Escaping Censorship
Online censorship is rising, affecting our ability to access information freely. Some search engines filter, manipulate, or block search results. Unfortunately, even many private search engines fall prey to this problem. When Google and Bing use censorship, alternative search engines that deliver the same results follow suit. It’s a vicious cycle. However, some privacy-focused search engines strive to maintain neutrality and avoid censorship.
Searx stands out as a community-driven, open-source metasearch engine. It aggregates results from various search engines while respecting user privacy. Here are its key aspects:
Pros:
Customizable: You can host your own Searx instance or use existing ones.
Privacy-Centric: No tracking, no ads, and no profiling.
Diverse Sources: Pulls results from multiple search engines.
Cons:
Technical Complexity: Setting up your instance requires technical know-how.
Variable Quality: Search results may vary based on your chosen instance.
Conclusion
Privacy-focused search engines empower users to reclaim control over their online presence. Whether you opt for DuckDuckGo, Startpage, or explore community-driven alternatives like Searx, remember that your privacy matters. Choose wisely, and let your searches remain your business, not someone else’s.
Smart TVs are becoming more popular and affordable, but they also have some hidden risks to your privacy and security. When you connect your TV to the internet, you access streaming services and applications, allowing the TV manufacturer and other third parties to collect data on your watching behavior. This data can include what shows you watch, how long you watch them, what ads you see, and even what you say or do in front of the TV.
Some of this data collection is done to provide personalized recommendations and features, but some are also used for advertising. Your TV data can be shared or sold to other companies, who can utilize it to create profiles of you and your household. These profiles can reveal your interests, preferences, habits, and location. They can also be used to target you with more ads, both on your TV and on other devices.
This can have severe implications for your privacy and security. You may not want strangers to know what you watch, when you watch it, or where you live. You may not like to see ads based on your personal information. You may not want to be tracked across different platforms and devices. And you may not want hackers to access your TV and spy on or harm you.
So, how can you protect yourself from smart TV snooping? This blog post will explain how smart TVs collect data, their use, and how to limit or stop it. We will also give you tips on choosing a smart TV that respects your privacy and security. Read on to learn more.
Some examples of smart TV data collection are:
Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) – is software that tracks the games, shows, movies, and ads you watch on your TV and sends this data to third parties for advertising and marketing purposes. It can also link your TV data with your online activity on other devices using the same internet connection.
Voice Activation – is a feature that allows you to control your TV with voice commands, but it also means your TV has a microphone that can listen to your conversations and other sounds in your room. These recordings may be sent to third parties for analysis and processing.
Cookies and Trackers – are technologies used by applications and browsers on your smart TV to collect information about your online behavior, such as what websites you visit, what products you buy, and what preferences you have. This data is used to create profiles on you and target you with more ads.
To turn off ACR on your smart TV, you need to find the privacy settings on your TV’s menu and turn off the option that allows data collection from TV inputs. The exact steps may vary depending on the brand and model of your smart TV, but here are some general guidelines for some common smart TV platforms:
LG: Go to Settings, then Privacy, and turn off LivePlus.
Samsung: Go to Settings, then Support, then Terms and Policies, and turn off Viewing Information.
Sony: Go to Settings, then System Preferences, then Privacy, and turn off Samba TV.
Vizio: Go to Settings, then System, then Reset and Admin, and turn off Viewing Data.
Google TV: Go to Settings, Accounts, Sign In, then Google, and turn off Ads Personalization.
Roku TV: Go to Settings, Privacy, the Smart TV Experience, and turn off Use Information from TV Inputs.
Amazon Fire TV: Go to Settings, then Preferences, then Privacy Settings, and turn off Device Usage Data and Collect App Usage Data.
Privacy Hive suggests occasionally resetting your advertiser ID, a unique identifier companies use to track your online activity and target you with ads. You can find this option in the same privacy settings menu as ACR. Resetting your advertiser ID periodically can reduce the data collected and linked to you. So, before you settle in for your next binge-watching session, remember: the only drama you want is on the screen, not in your data privacy!
Some individuals keep their personal and confidential files, such as photos, videos, and papers, on their own devices, where they can access them easily. Others use online storage services, like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive. However, these providers may claim the right to examine, operate, and share your content for marketing purposes and with other entities.
There are privacy-first cloud storage services for those prioritizing data security and privacy. Privacy-first storage sites are cloud storage services that prioritize your data’s security and privacy over other features. They usually use end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge privacy, and robust authentication methods to protect your data from unauthorized access, hacking, or surveillance. Some examples of privacy-first storage sites not affiliated with major platforms are:
Proton Drive is a secure cloud storage service created by Proton, the company behind Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Pass, and Proton Calendar. Founded by a group of scientists at CERN, Proton puts privacy and security at the heart of all its products.
Benefits
Proton Drive uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that only you can access your files. Your files and metadata are encrypted on your device before uploading to the cloud, so Proton or anyone else cannot see or access them.
Proton Drive is based in Switzerland, which has some of the strongest privacy laws in the world. Proton does not collect or share personal data or cooperate with third-party requests unless a Swiss court approves them.
Proton Drive integrates seamlessly with other Proton products, such as Proton Mail and Proton VPN, to provide a comprehensive suite of privacy tools. You can use your Proton account to access all Proton services with a single login.
Costs
Proton Drive is in beta and accessible to all Proton users. You can get up to 20 GB of free storage by inviting your friends to join Proton.
Proton Drive plans to launch paid plans, starting from €4 per month for 100 GB of storage. You can also get discounts by bundling Proton Drive with other Proton services.
Features
Proton Drive lets you store and share files, such as documents, photos, videos, and music. You can access your files from any device using the web app, the desktop app (Windows, Mac, Linux), or the mobile app (Android, iOS).
Proton Drive allows you to share your files securely with anyone, even if they don’t have a Proton account. You can create encrypted links that expire after a particular time or number of downloads and protect them with a password or a passphrase.
Proton Drive supports version history and trash recovery, so you can restore any file to a previous state or recover any deleted file within 30 days.
pCloud is a cloud storage service offering standard and encrypted storage options. You can choose between pCloud Basic, a regular cloud storage service, or pCloud Crypto, a secure vault for sensitive files.
Benefits
pCloud Crypto uses client-side encryption to protect your files with a zero-knowledge architecture. This means your files are encrypted on your device before uploading them to the cloud, and you only have the key to decrypt them. pCloud or anyone else cannot access your files or your encryption key.
pCloud offers a unique lifetime subscription option, which lets you pay a one-time fee and get unlimited access to your cloud storage. This can save you much money in the long run, compared to paying monthly or yearly fees.
pCloud supports various file formats, such as images, videos, audio, documents, and archives. You can preview and stream your files directly from the cloud without downloading them to your device.
Costs
pCloud Basic is free for up to 10 GB of storage. You can get more free storage by completing specific tasks or inviting your friends to join pCloud.
pCloud Premium costs $4.99 per month or $47.88 per year for 500 GB of storage, or $9.99 per month or $95.88 per year for 2 TB of storage. You can also get a lifetime subscription for $175 for 500 GB or $350 for 2 TB.
pCloud Crypto costs an additional $3.99 monthly or $47.88 per year for unlimited encrypted storage. You can also get a lifetime subscription for $125.
Features
pCloud lets you sync any folder on your computer or mobile device with the cloud. You can also use pCloud Drive, a virtual drive that enables you to access your cloud files without taking up space on your device.
pCloud allows you to share your files and folders with anyone, even if they don’t have a pCloud account. You can set permissions, expiration dates, and passwords for your shared links. You can also create upload links that let others upload files to your cloud.
pCloud supports file versioning and trash recovery, so you can restore any file to a previous version or recover any deleted file within 30 days. With a paid plan, you can extend this period to 180 days or 360 days.
Sync is a cloud storage and document collaboration platform that helps teams stay safe, secure, and connected in the cloud. It combines file storage, file sharing, and file backup features with end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge architecture.
Benefits
Sync uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that only you and your authorized collaborators can access your files. Your files and metadata are encrypted on your device before uploading to the cloud, and Sync.com or anyone else cannot see or access them.
Sync is based in Canada, which has strong privacy laws and does not participate in mass surveillance programs. Sync.com does not collect or share personal data or comply with third-party requests unless they are legally valid and enforceable in Canada.
Sync offers unlimited cloud storage and unlimited data transfer for its paid plans, so you don’t have to worry about running out of space or bandwidth. You can store and share as many files as you want without limits or fees.
Costs
Sync Basic is free for up to 5 GB of storage. You can get more free storage by referring your friends to Sync.com.
Sync Solo costs $8 per month or $96 per year for 2 TB of storage, or $20 per month or $240 per year for 6 TB of storage. These plans are for individual users who want more storage and features.
Sync Teams costs $6 per user per month $60 per user per year for 1 TB of storage per user, $15 per user per month or $180 per user per year for unlimited storage per user. These plans are for teams who want to collaborate and manage their projects in the cloud.
Features
Sync lets you access your files from any device using the desktop app (Windows, Mac, Linux), the mobile app (Android, iOS), or the web app. You can also use Sync CloudFiles, a virtual drive that lets you browse your cloud files without taking up space on your device.
Sync lets you share your files and folders with anyone, even if they don’t have a Sync.com account. You can set permissions, expiration dates, and passwords for your shared links. You can also create a custom-branded client portal with your company logo and domain name.
Sync supports file versioning and trash recovery, so you can restore any file to a previous version or recover any deleted file within 180 days. You can also enable ransomware protection, which lets you roll back your entire account to an earlier state in case of an attack.
Conclusion Proton Drive, pCloud, and Sync.com are among today’s best privacy-focused cloud storage services. They offer end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, and robust data protection policies. They also have different benefits, costs, and features that may suit various needs and preferences. Privacy-focused storage providers give you peace of mind; they protect your data from hackers and spies.
In previous blog posts, Privacy Hive has discussed the importance of choosing a privacy-oriented browser and installing browser extensions for improved online privacy. This post explores browser leakage and actions you can take to protect your online privacy.
Browser leakage refers to the private information your browser can access, which you want to keep between yourself and the browser. Modern web browsers enhance the user experience, but the various features and functions can also inadvertently expose your personal information.
Your browser has access to a significant amount of private information, which includes:
IP Address: Your IP address can reveal your general location and is visible to all websites you visit.
Browser History: Your browser will store websites you visit.
Cookies: These small files are stored on your computer by websites you visit.
Form Data: Website forms can remember information you enter into your browser.
Passwords: If you choose to save them, your browser can store passwords for quick access.
Autofill Data: includes your name, address, and credit card numbers if you save them.
System Information: Websites can extract data about your system through JavaScript and Web APIs.
Websites to Determine the Extent of Browser Leakage
Websites like Browser Leaks and Privacy.net Analyzer offer a range of tests to evaluate the security and privacy of your web browser. These tests identify ways websites may leak your IP address, collect information about your device, and perform browser fingerprinting.
Browser Leaks is a comprehensive suite of tools designed to evaluate the security and privacy of your web browser. It provides many tests that identify ways websites may leak your IP address, collect information about your laptop, and perform browser fingerprinting. The site provides analysis and offers a complete examination of your online presence and potential vulnerabilities. It includes IP address Whois lookup, TCP/IP operating system fingerprinting, Web RTC, DNS, and IP6 leaks. Understanding these risks, you can take appropriate steps to protect your online privacy and minimize exposure.
Privacy.net Analyzer is another tool that lists information about website advertisements and widget collection from your web browser. It provides an analysis of your geolocation and browser permissions. This site offers tests you can perform to evaluate your browser privacy. The site helps you understand what data is exposed from your browser and how the information can identify and track your behavior using techniques like IP lookups and fingerprinting. This knowledge can help you take the necessary steps to enhance your online privacy.
There are several ways you can control what information your browser shares with websites:
Delete your browser history: If you do not want to see advertisements based on your previous online activity, delete cookies, clear your browser, and search history.
Adjust your privacy settings: The privacy settings in your browser give you some control over the information websites collect about you. For example, you can block websites from seeing your browsing history or decide not to share your location.
Screen Sharing: Be cautious when sharing your screen with websites. Firefox, for example, warns users not to share when a browser window is visible on your screen unless you trust that website.
Sync Browser Data: Some browsers allow you to sync your browser data with your account, giving you control over the shared information.
Use Privacy Browsing Mode: Some browsers, like Firefox, have a private browsing mode that deletes your browsing history after you end your session; however, it does not block websites from seeing your online history.
Staying informed and vigilant is the key to protecting yourself from browser leaks. Regularly update your browser and its plugins, and always be cautious about the websites you visit and the information you share online.
Remember, no solution is perfect; the best defense combines these methods. Stay informed about the latest privacy threats and defenses to ensure online privacy.
Why You Should Switch from SMS to a Secure Messaging App
Text messaging is one of the most popular ways to communicate in the digital era, but it also comes with privacy and security risks. In this blog post, we will explain why text messaging is based on older technology and is insecure, how text via SMS can be hijacked, and why using a text application is a good alternative to just a phone number for texting.
The Problem with SMS
SMS stands for Short Message Service, and it is the standard protocol for sending and receiving text messages over cellular networks. SMS was developed in the 1980s and 1990s, and it has not changed much since then. SMS has several limitations and vulnerabilities, such as:
SMS messages are not encrypted, meaning they can be intercepted, read, and modified by anyone with access to the network or the device.
SMS messages are stored by cellular providers, who can see the contents of the messages and share them with third parties, such as advertisers, law enforcement, or hackers.
SMS messages have a limited length of 160 characters, which can result in fragmented or incomplete messages.
SMS messages rely on the phone number of the sender and the receiver, which can be spoofed, hijacked, or stolen by malicious actors.
The Solution: Secure Messaging Apps
Secure messaging apps are applications that use the internet to send and receive text messages and other types of media, such as photos, videos, voice messages, documents, etc. Secure messaging apps have several advantages over SMS, such as:
Secure messaging apps use end-to-end encryption (E2EE), which means that only the sender and the receiver can see the messages’ contents, and no one else, not even the app provider, can access them.
Secure messaging apps do not store the messages on their servers; they delete them after they are delivered or after a certain period, depending on the user’s settings.
Secure messaging apps do not limit the length or type of messages and can support rich features such as group chats, stickers, emojis, gifs, etc.
Secure messaging apps do not depend on the user’s phone number; they can use other identifiers, such as usernames, email addresses, or QR codes, to verify the user’s identity and prevent impersonation or hijacking.
How to Choose a Secure Messaging App
Many secure messaging apps are available on the market, but not all are equally trustworthy or reliable. Some of the factors to consider when choosing a secure messaging app are:
The app’s privacy policy and terms of service should clearly state what data it collects, how it uses it, and with whom it shares it.
The security features and the app’s encryption protocol should be transparent, open-source, and audited by independent experts.
The app’s user interface and user experience should be easy to use, intuitive, and customizable.
The app’s popularity and reputation. It should have a large and active user base and positive reviews and ratings.
Some of the most popular and reputable secure messaging apps are:
Signal: Signal is a free and open-source app that offers E2EE for text, voice, and video messages, group chats, disappearing messages, and other features. It is widely regarded as the most secure and private messaging app and is endorsed by many experts and activists, such as Edward Snowden, Elon Musk, and Jack Dorsey.
Telegram: Telegram is a free and cloud-based app that offers E2EE for text, voice, and video messages, as well as group chats, channels, bots, and other features. Telegram is known for its speed, reliability, and functionality, and it has over 500 million users worldwide.
Wire: Wire is a free and open-source app that offers E2EE for text, voice, and video messages, as well as group chats, file sharing, and other features. It is designed for personal and professional use and complies with European data protection laws.
Conclusion
Text messaging is a convenient and popular communication method but poses privacy and security risks. SMS is based on older technology and is insecure, and using text via SMS can be hijacked. A text application is a good alternative to just a phone number for texting, as it offers more security, privacy, and functionality. However, not all text applications are equally secure, and users should carefully choose the app that best suits their needs and preferences.
We all love sharing our photos with our friends and family online, whether through email, social media, or other platforms. But did you know that every image you take with your digital camera or phone contains hidden information that could reveal more than you want to?
What is EXIF Data?
EXIF stands for Exchangeable Image File Format, a standard specifying the format of the metadata stored in the image file. Metadata is data about data; in this case, it is data about the image itself.
Some of the information that EXIF data can contain are:
Date and time of the photo
Geographic location of the photo (latitude and longitude)
Camera model or phone type
Camera settings (such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO)
Orientation of the photo
The thumbnail of the photo
While some of this information can be useful for organizing and editing your photos, some can also be sensitive and personal. For example, if you share a photo of your home or your workplace, the EXIF data could reveal the exact address of where you live or work. Or if you share a photo of your children, the EXIF data could reveal their age, school, or hobbies.
How to Remove EXIF Data?
Fortunately, there are ways to remove or edit the EXIF data from your images before you share them online. Here are some examples of tools and methods that you can use:
Online tools: Many websites offer free services to remove EXIF data from your images. For example, Exifpurge.com allows you to upload multiple images and download them without any EXIF data. However, be careful when using online tools, as they may not be secure or reliable. Always check the website’s privacy policy and terms of service before uploading your images.
Desktop software: You can install many programs on your computer to remove or edit EXIF data from your images. For example, ExifTool is a powerful and versatile command-line tool that can read, write, and modify EXIF data for various file formats. Alternatively, ExifEraser is a simple and user-friendly tool that can remove EXIF data from JPEG images with a few clicks.
Browser extensions: If you use a web browser to upload or share your images online, you can also use browser extensions to remove or edit EXIF data from your images. For example, Exif Viewer is a Firefox extension that allows you to view and edit EXIF data for any image on the web. Similarly, Exif Remover is a Chrome extension that will enable you to remove EXIF data from any image on the web.
How to Blur Images?
Another way to protect your privacy when sharing images online is to blur or obscure the faces or other identifiable features of the people in the images, especially young children. This approach can help prevent unwanted recognition, tracking, or harassment by strangers or malicious actors.
There are also various tools and methods that you can use to blur or obscure your images, such as:
Online tools: Many websites offer free services to blur or obscure your images. For example, facepixelizer.com allows you to upload an image and automatically blur the faces or manually select the areas that you want to blur. Similarly, pinetools.com enables you to upload an image and adjust the blur level for the whole image or an assigned area.
Desktop software: You can install many programs on your computer to blur or obscure your images. For example, GIMP is a free and open-source image editor that has various tools and filters to blur or obscure your images. Alternatively, Paint.NET is a simple, user-friendly image editor with multiple tools and filters to blur or obscure your images.
Browser extensions: If you use a web browser to upload or share your images online, you can also use browser extensions to blur or obscure your images. For example, Blurweb.app is a Firefox and Chrome extension that allows you to blur any element on any website, such as images, text, or videos. Similarly, Image Blur is a Firefox extension that enables you to blur any image on the web with a right-click.
Conclusion
Sharing images online can be fun and rewarding, but it can also pose risks to your privacy and security. Using the tools and methods mentioned above, you can remove or edit the EXIF data and blur or obscure the images before sharing them online. This way, you can protect your personal information and identity and enjoy your online experience without worries.
Why You Need a Password Manager for Online Privacy
Online privacy is not just about hiding your browsing history or avoiding targeted ads. It also protects your personal and financial data from hackers, identity thieves, and malicious actors who want to exploit your online accounts. One of the most common ways hackers gain access to your accounts is by cracking passwords. Passwords are the keys to your online kingdom, and if they are weak, reused, or compromised, you are putting yourself and your information at risk.
That is why you need a password manager. Password manager software helps you create and store unique, complex passwords for all your online accounts. You only need to remember one master password to access your password manager, and it will automatically fill in your login credentials for you when you visit a website or app. This way, you don’t have to worry about remembering or typing your passwords, and you can have a different password for each account.
But how do password managers work, and why are they essential for online privacy? Here are some of the benefits and features of using a password manager:
Password managers generate strong passwords for you
One of the biggest challenges of creating passwords is making them strong enough to resist brute-force attacks, dictionary attacks, and other standard cracking methods. A strong password should be long (minimum 12 characters), random, and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. However, such passwords are hard to remember and type, especially if you have dozens of them.
A password manager can solve this problem by generating strong passwords for you. You can customize the length and complexity of your passwords, and the password manager will create them for you with a click of a button. You don’t have to worry about creating your passwords or using the same password for multiple accounts.
Password managers encrypt and store your passwords securely
Another challenge of managing passwords is keeping them safe from hackers, malware, and other threats. If you store your passwords in a plain text file, a spreadsheet, or a sticky note, you expose them to anyone who can access your device or network. If you use your browser’s built-in password manager, you are relying on its security features, which may not be adequate or current.
A password manager can solve this problem by encrypting and storing your passwords securely. Encryption transforms data into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted with a key. A password manager uses a master password as the key to encrypt and decrypt your passwords so only you can access them. Your passwords are stored locally on your device or remotely on a cloud server, depending on your password manager. Either way, your passwords are protected by encryption and cannot be read by anyone else.
Password managers sync and auto fill your passwords across devices
A third challenge of managing passwords is accessing them across different devices and platforms. If you use multiple devices, such as a laptop, a smartphone, and a tablet, you may have trouble logging into your accounts on each device. You may have to type your passwords manually, which is tedious and error-prone, or you may have to transfer your passwords from one device to another, which is insecure and inconvenient.
A password manager can solve this problem by syncing and autofilling your passwords across devices. Most password managers offer cross-platform compatibility, meaning they work on various operating systems, browsers, and apps. You can sync your passwords across your devices using a cloud service or a local network, depending on the password manager you use. You can also autofill your passwords on any website or app you visit using a browser extension, a mobile app, or a keyboard shortcut. This way, you don’t have to type or copy your passwords and can access your accounts from any device.
Password managers offer additional features and benefits
Besides generating, storing, syncing, and autofilling your passwords, password managers provide other features and benefits that enhance your online privacy and security. Some of these features and benefits are:
Password managers can alert you of weak, reused, or compromised passwords and help you change them easily.
Password managers can monitor your accounts for data breaches and notify you if your passwords are exposed or leaked online.
Password managers can generate and store other data types, such as credit card numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and secure notes.
Password managers can support two-factor authentication, biometric authentication, or other methods to verify your identity and protect your master password.
Password managers can share your passwords securely with other people, such as family members, friends, or colleagues, without revealing your master password.
Password managers can help you comply with websites and regions’ privacy policies and regulations, such as GDPR, CCPA, or COPPA.
How to choose and use a password manager
Many password managers are available on the market, and choosing one can be overwhelming. Some of the factors that you should consider when choosing a password manager are:
Price: Password managers can be free or paid, depending on the features and services they offer. Free password managers may have limitations on the number of passwords, devices, or users they support, while paid password managers may offer more features, storage, and support. You should compare the costs and benefits of different password managers and choose one that fits your budget and needs.
Security: Password managers should use robust encryption algorithms, such as AES-256, to protect your passwords. They should also have a zero-knowledge policy, meaning that they do not store or access your master password or encryption key, and they do not collect or share your data. You should check different password managers’ security and privacy policies and choose one you trust and feel comfortable with.
Usability: Password managers should be easy to use and compatible with your devices and platforms. They should have a user-friendly interface, a reliable sync and autofill function, and a convenient backup and restore option. You should test the usability and performance of different password managers and choose one that works well for you.
Price
Price is essential when choosing a password manager, as it determines how much you have to pay for the service and what features you get in return. Here is a summary of the pricing plans and options for three popular password managers:
Bitwarden is a free and open-source password manager that offers unlimited passwords, devices, and users for individuals, businesses, and families. However, you must upgrade to a paid plan to access more features like Bitwarden Send, File Attachments, and Security Reports. The paid plans range from $10 to $40 per year for individuals and from $3 to $5 per monthly user for businesses and families.
KeePass is a free and open-source password manager that does not charge any fees for its service. You can download and use KeePass on any platform and device and enjoy all its features and functionality. However, depending on the developer and the source, you may have to pay for some plugins and extensions that enhance KeePass’s capabilities.
1Password is a paid password manager that offers no free plan except for a 14-day trial period. You must choose from different plans and pricing options for individuals, families, businesses, and teams and pay a monthly or annual fee. The plans range from $2.99 to $7.99 monthly for individuals and families and from $3.99 to $7.99 per user for businesses and teams.
Security
Security is another crucial factor when choosing a password manager, as it determines how well your passwords and data are protected from hackers, malware, and other threats. Here is a summary of the security features and policies for each password manager:
Bitwarden uses AES-256 encryption, salted hashing, and PBKDF2 SHA-256. It also has a zero-knowledge policy, meaning that it does not store or access your master password or encryption key, and it does not collect or share your data. Bitwarden is audited and verified by third-party security experts, such as Cure53 and NCC Group.
KeePass also uses AES-256 encryption, salted hashing, and PBKDF2 SHA-256 to secure passwords and data. It also has a zero-knowledge policy, meaning that it does not store or access your master password or encryption key, and it does not collect or share your data. However, KeePass is not audited or verified by third-party security experts, and it relies on the community and the users to report and fix any security issues.
1Password also uses AES-256 encryption, salted hashing, and PBKDF2 SHA-256 to secure your passwords and data. It also has a zero-knowledge policy, meaning that it does not store or access your master password or encryption key, and it does not collect or share your data. 1Password is also audited and verified by third-party security experts, such as Veracode and iSEC Partners.
Once you have chosen a password manager, you should use it responsibly and adequately to protect your online privacy. Some of the best practices that you should follow are:
Create a strong and unique master password, and remember it or store it in a safe place. Please do not share your master password with anyone or use it for any other account.
Enable two-factor authentication, biometrics, or other methods to secure your password manager and master password. Do not use the same method for your password manager and other accounts.
Use the password generator to create and update your passwords regularly. Do not reuse your passwords for multiple accounts or use familiar or predictable passwords.
Use the password monitor to check and change your passwords if they are weak, reused, or compromised. Do not ignore the alerts or notifications from your password manager.
Use the data manager to store and autofill your other data types, such as credit card numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and secure notes. Do not store or autofill sensitive data on untrusted or public devices or networks.
Use the password sharer to share your passwords securely with other people, if necessary. Do not share your passwords via email, text, or other insecure methods.
Use the privacy manager to comply with the privacy policies and regulations of different websites and regions, if applicable. Do not violate the terms and conditions of your websites or apps.
Conclusion
Online privacy is not a luxury but a necessity. Using a password manager, you can protect your personal and financial data from hackers, identity thieves, and other malicious actors who want to exploit your online accounts. A password manager can help you create and store unique, complex passwords for all your online accounts and sync and autofill them across your devices. A password manager can offer additional features and benefits that enhance online privacy and security. By choosing and using a password manager properly and responsibly, you can enjoy the convenience and peace of mind of having a secure and private online life.
Email is one of the most critical and personal forms of communication in the online world. However, email accounts are also vulnerable to cyberattacks, data breaches, and identity theft. If your email address or password is compromised, hackers can access your online accounts, steal your personal information, and impersonate you.
Fortunately, some tools can help you monitor your email from breaches and take action if needed. In this blog post, Privacy Hive will introduce two websites that track emails exposed to breaches and provide individuals a way to search if their emails or forwarded emails have been breached: Have I BeenPwned and DeHashed?
Have I Been Pwned
Have I Been Pwned is a website that allows you to check if your email address has been involved in a data breach. It collects and analyzes data from hundreds of sources, including hacked websites, leaked databases, and dark web forums. It also provides information about the type and extent of the breach, such as the date, the number of affected accounts, and the data exposed.
To use Have I Been Pwned, enter your email address in the search box and click on the pwned? button. The website will tell you if your email address has been pwned (i.e., compromised) or not, and if so, in which breaches and what data was exposed.
For example, if we enter the email address bing@outlook.com, we get the following result:
As you can see, the email address has been pwned in 8 data breaches, and the data exposed included name, email address, password, phone number, and physical address.
If your email address has been pwned, you should take some steps to protect yourself, such as:
Change your password for the affected account and any other account that uses the same or similar password. Use a strong and unique password for each account or a password manager to generate and store them securely.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your accounts, if available. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code or device and your password to log in.
Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity, such as unauthorized logins, transactions, or messages. Report any anomalies to the service provider and the relevant authorities.
Be wary of phishing emails, calls, or texts that claim to be from the breached service or other legitimate entities and ask for your personal or financial information. Please do not click on links or attachments or provide any information unless you know they are authentic.
DeHashed
DeHashed is another website that allows you to search for your email address in leaked databases. It also provides more details about the source and content of the data, such as the file name, size, format, and hash. You can download the data for offline analysis with a paid account.
The website will show you the number of results found and a list of databases that contain your email address. You can click on each database to see more details, such as the data fields, the sample records, and the download link (with a paid account).
Suppose your email address appears in any database. In that case, you should follow the steps mentioned above to have been pwned, such as changing your password, enabling 2FA, monitoring your accounts, and avoiding phishing.
Tips for Choosing a Secure and Private Email Service and Password
While Have I Been Pwned and DeHashed can help you monitor your email for breaches, they cannot prevent them from happening. Therefore, choosing a secure and private email service and password and following some best practices to protect your email privacy and security is essential. Here are some tips to help you do that:
Choose an email service that offers end-to-end encryption, which means that only you and the intended recipient can read your messages, and no one else, not even the email provider, can access them. Some examples of email services that offer end-to-end encryption are ProtonMail, Tuta, and Mailfence.
Choose an email service that respects your privacy and does not collect, share, or sell your data or track your online activity. Some examples of email services that respect your privacy are StartMail, Posteo, and Fastmail.
Choose an email address that does not reveal your personal information, such as your name, location, occupation, or interests. For example, instead of using john.smith@newyork.com, you can use something more generic and random, such as jsm1th1983NY@proton.me.
Choose a password that is long, complex, and unique and that you can remember. A good password should have at least 12 characters and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You should also avoid using common words, names, dates, phrases, or any information that can be easily guessed or found online. For example, you can use something like P@ssw0rd!915 instead of a password.
Use a different password for your online accounts and check them regularly using the previously mentioned services. If one of your accounts is compromised, the hacker cannot access your other accounts with the same password. You can also use a password manager, like Bitwarden, KeePass, or 1Password, to generate, store, and auto fill your passwords securely.
Be careful when opening, clicking, or downloading anything from your email. Do not open or reply to emails from unknown or suspicious senders that ask for your personal or financial information. Do not click on links or attachments from emails you are not expecting or that look suspicious or too good to be true. Please do not download or run any files or programs from your email unless you trust the source and scan them for viruses or malware first.
Conclusion
Email is a convenient and essential tool for communication, but it also comes with many risks and challenges. Using websites like Have I Been Pwned and DeHashed, you can monitor your email for breaches and stay informed of potential threats. By choosing a secure and private email service and password and following some best practices, you can protect your email privacy and security and prevent hackers from accessing your personal information and online accounts. Remember, your email is connected to everything you do online, so keep it safe and secure. Do not let your email be a hacker’s snack!
