Internet: Our personal information is stored on some server or another on the Internet every day, like phone numbers, photos, passwords, bank notifications, and much more.

Internet: Our personal information—phone numbers, photos, passwords, bank notifications, and more—is stored on servers on the Internet every day. If not handled properly, it's easy for hackers to exploit. But there's no need to fear. By following these five secret and effective steps, you can make your digital identity and data largely undetectable.

Share as little data as possible

We often give out unnecessary information when filling out forms: date of birth, parents' names, old addresses. Even these small things can give hackers an identity. Whenever a site or app asks for it, think carefully. Is this information really necessary? If it's not needed, skip it or enter N/A. Keep only the necessary information on social accounts and limit your public profiles.

Use strong passwords and a password manager

“123456” and “password” are a thing of the past. Create long, unique, and memorable passwords for every account, including uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Use a password manager (like LastPass, 1Password) that securely stores all your passwords and can generate unique passwords for each site. Also, keep two-factor authentication (2FA) turned on. This becomes your second bastion when your first security door is breached.

Adopt data encryption

If you really want your files and messages to remain unreadable, encrypt them. Some cloud services and messaging apps offer end-to-end encryption, so prioritize them. Use password-protected ZIP or encryption software for sensitive files on your computer. Encryption means the data is useless unless you have the correct key.

Clear digital trash regularly

Old accounts, unused apps, and overlooked files can become a risk. Clean up your email, social media, and cloud storage at least once a year. Securely delete any unnecessary savings, photos, or documents. Before selling or giving away any device, perform a factory reset and completely overwrite the storage to ensure data cannot be recovered.

Be alert

Hackers' biggest weapon is your carelessness. Don't click on suspicious emails, unknown links, and attachments. Banks or service providers never send passwords in emails. If you receive such a message, contact the official website or customer support directly. Don't ignore browser and operating system updates; they bring important security patches.