Have you ever Googled yourself and been startled by what you found? Data broker sites such as FastBackgroundCheck aggregate and publish personal data, putting it within the reach of almost anyone. This information may include your address and phone number, as well as facts about your family and work history. At first glance, this may seem trivial; however, the open access to your information can be a big threat to your online privacy.
This book is a multifaceted gateway to online privacy protection. We’ll teach you how to take your data off of people search websites and, more importantly, how to keep it from appearing there in the first place. It’s by a combination of the actions you can take right away and habits you adopt for the long haul that you can seize control over your digital footprint.
Understanding the Risks of Exposed Data
When anyone’s personal information is available to all, it’s not simply a matter of lost privacy. That can have real-world consequences. Data brokers aggregate collections of information from public records, social media, and other indicators about you to form detailed profiles, which can be sold without your consent. This practice raises your vulnerability to identity theft, doxxing, stalking, and unwanted marketing.
There is also a whole lot of public concern out there, and for good reason. The numbers below further illustrate the increasingly perilous world of online privacy:
| Statistic | Description | Source |
| 67% | Percentage of adults concerned about online privacy | Pew Research Center |
| 81% | Percentage of consumers who feel they have little control over the data collected about them | Pew Research Center |
| $199 billion | Estimated global spending on information security and risk management in 2024 | Gartner |
| 540% | Increase in data breaches in the first half of 2023 compared to 2022 | Identity Theft Resource Center |
| 85% | Percentage of consumers who want to do more to protect their privacy | Deloitte |
Practical Steps to Protect Your Privacy
You have to work in order to preserve your privacy online. Here are five easy measures you should implement now to help secure your personal information.
1. Reject Web Cookies
Lots of websites come with cookies that record all your activities on the Internet. These little files create profiles of your interests and browsing habits, which can be sold to third parties. Whenever a cookie pop-up appears, select “Reject All” or “Accept Only Necessary Cookies.” This small step will reduce the data collected about you.
2. Use a Private Search Engine
Popular search engines such as Google personalize your search results according to your browsing history; however, this tracking is also at the cost of your personal information. Switch to a privacy-protecting search engine, like DuckDuckGo. It doesn’t record search or create user profiles, so it provides a more anonymous way to browse the web.
3. Utilize Web Privacy Tools
You can beef up your privacy online in many ways for free. Browse extensions such as Privacy Badger, which is produced by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, also automatically block third-party trackers. You can also use alternative browsers like Firefox or Brave, both of which have stronger built-in privacy protections than Chrome or Safari.
4. Adjust Your Privacy Settings
Spend a few minutes reviewing the privacy settings on your smartphone and your social media accounts. If you are on your phone, you can restrict permissions that apps ask for, especially when it comes to location tracking. Ensure your profile on platforms like Facebook and Instagram is private, limiting who can view your posts and personal details, like friends. You should also be careful about what you share on payment apps like Venmo, which can expose a lot about your habits.
5. Opt-Out of Data Broker Sites
How can I directly protect my information? The most straightforward way of doing so is to request that your information be removed from data broker sites. The FastBackgroundCheck removal process is easy to complete:
- Visit the FastBackgroundCheck website and locate the “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link, typically at the bottom of the page.
- Submit your email to begin the removal process.
- Search for your profile, find it, and then click the “Remove my record” button.
- You get an email, which lets you know. Click the email link to complete the removal. Your data, such as SIM owner details, if any, will be deleted within 72 hours.
Deeper Measures for Enhanced Security
Two more powerful tactics for anyone who wants to strengthen their data protection further.
Use Unique, Strong Passwords
Reusing the password is a huge security risk. If one account is hacked, all your others are at risk. Generate and save strong passwords for every site with a password manager. If you can, always turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
Consider a Credit Freeze
A credit freeze is one of the strongest weapons against identity theft. The action limits access to your credit report, which makes it impossible for thieves to open new accounts in your name. If you don’t anticipate applying for new credit in the near term, you would also be wise to put a freeze on your credit with the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
Take Control of Your Digital Identity
Protecting your online privacy isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it proposition. By checking your settings on a regular basis, being smart about what you share, and using the tools provided to help you take control, you can arm yourself with great defenses against unwanted data collection. Follow the instructions in this guide to get started and integrate privacy-protection habits into your digital lifestyle. Thanks for thinking ahead!