How to maintain privacy

Maintaining privacy in today’s digital world can be challenging but achievable with intentional steps. Here’s a practical guide:

Strong Passwords: Use unique, complex passwords for every account—think long phrases with numbers, symbols, and mixed cases. A password manager can help you keep track of them. Browse Safely: Use a privacy-focused browser like Firefox or Brave, and pair it with a reputable VPN to mask your IP address and encrypt your connection, especially on public Wi-Fi. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA wherever possible. It adds a second layer of security, like a code sent to your phone or an authenticator app.

Limit Sharing Online: Be cautious about what you post on social media or public platforms. Avoid sharing sensitive details like your address, real-time location, or personal routines. Control App Permissions: Regularly check which apps have access to your camera, microphone, location, or contacts. Revoke permissions you don’t need—on your phone, go to settings and review app access.

Secure Devices: Keep your phone and computer locked with a PIN, password, or biometric authentication. Update software often—patches fix vulnerabilities. Use Encrypted Communication: Opt for tools like Signal or WhatsApp for messaging, which offer end-to-end encryption. For email, consider services like ProtonMail.

Physical Privacy: Cover your webcam when not in use and consider a microphone blocker for devices. Be mindful of who’s around when discussing sensitive topics. Minimize Data Collection: Clear cookies and cache regularly, or use browser extensions like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger to block trackers. Search engines like DuckDuckGo don’t track you, unlike Google.

Small, consistent habits go a long way. What specific area of privacy are you most concerned about? I can dive deeper if you’d like. Be Wary of Phishing: Don’t click suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources. Verify emails or messages before acting.

We would like to thank Mr. Gojko from the portal slusalica.net who allowed us to use the material from his website.

Quite another important thing regarding your personal safety is to check if your phone has spyware, you can follow a few steps and pay attention to certain signs. Here's how you can do it:

Check app permissions: Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions and check which apps have access to your microphone, camera, location, or contacts. If an app has permissions it shouldn't have (eg a calculator with microphone access), remove its permissions or uninstall it.

Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading apps from outside official stores. Update your phone's operating system regularly as updates often fix security vulnerabilities. If you suspect that someone has had physical access to your phone, this is a common way to install spyware.

If you have Android, the process is easier to check because the system is more open, while on iPhone (iOS) it is more difficult to install spyware without "jailbreak", but check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management for suspicious profiles. One fairly reliable way is to check data consumption. In the settings (Settings > Data Usage or Mobile Network), check which applications are consuming an unusually large amount of data. Spyware often sends information over the Internet, which can increase consumption.

Check your phone for unusual behavior: If the battery drains quickly without excessive use, it may be a sign that an app is running in the background. Your phone overheating, even when you're not using it, can indicate spyware activity. Slow performance, unexpected reboots, or strange sounds during calls can also be suspicious.

Check admin privileges: On Android phones, go to Settings > Security > Device Admin Apps (or similar). If you see an unknown application with administrative rights, it may be a sign of spyware. Disable her privileges and try to remove her.

Use antivirus software: Download a trusted antivirus app (eg Avast, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes) from an official store (Google Play or App Store) and scan your phone. These applications can detect and remove spyware. Spy software is often one step ahead of anti-virus applications.

Factory reset (if needed): If you are unsure and suspect spyware is present, resetting your phone to factory settings (Settings > System > Reset Options > Factory Reset) will remove all apps and data. Make a backup copy of your important data beforehand. It has proven to be quite a successful way to remove spyware from phones.