How much of you is out there online? 

It’s a question that in today’s connected age we may ask ourselves. If you Google your own name, what do you expect to find? Being aware of your privacy online should be your top priority, and a good place to begin will be your privacy settings.

Privacy settings control what programs, apps, and websites have access to your profile. Not to be confused with app permissions, privacy settings give you control at the core of your device’s operating system, web browser, or social network settings to manage what has access to your private information.

Here’s a quick access guide to accessing your privacy settings on several popular devices and browsers:

  • Windows 10
    • Choose Settings then Privacy.
    • General Privacy Settings is chosen by default but can be drilled down by Speech Access, Typing Personalization, Diagnostics & feedback, and your activity history.
    • You can access your app permissions here as well.
    • You can also search for “privacy settings” in the Windows Search/Cortana bar by the Start button.
  • macOS
    • Click Settings, then System Preferences. (Or choose System Preferences from the top Apple icon in the Menu)
    • Choose Security in the Personal section.
    • You may be required to enter your administrative credentials for access.
    • From here you can control your FileVault settings, secure erase (undoing the trash), and many other privacy options.
  • Google Chrome
    • Click the Menu button and choose Settings.
    • Scroll to the bottom and choose Advanced.
    • Privacy and Security options are now unveiled. You can choose various options such as “Do Not Track” requests, clearing browsing data, and your Google Syncing services.
  • Mozilla Firefox
    • Click the Menu button and choose Options.
    • Choose Privacy & Security.
    • Content Blocking has preset options for blocking desired content on Firefox. Block a little or block a lot, but be aware that it could break certain websites.
    • Also include “Do Not Track,” cookie settings, and your history settings.
  • Internet Explorer / Microsoft Edge
    • Choose Settings (⚙) then Safety.
    • A variety of options appear in the drop-down menu, including “Do Not Track,” browsing history and webpage filtering.
    • For more advanced privacy settings, choose Settings, then Internet Options, then click the Privacy tab.
  • Safari
    • From the top menu in Safari, choose Preferences, then Privacy.
    • You have your Apple Pay options, cookie blocking, “Do Not Track,” and other options.
  • Facebook
    • Click the top right menu button (🔽) and choose Settings, then Privacy.
    • From there you can alter your activity, review all your posts, who can tag you and who can see what you are posting.
    • You also can access your Activity Log and make specific audiences for what you post.
  • Twitter
    • On the side bar, choose More, then Settings & Privacy, the Privacy & Safety.
    • You can then lock your account, change who can tag you in photos, and have access to your muting/blocking options.
  • Instagram
    • Go to your profile and click the Menu button, then Settings, then Privacy.
    • You can adjust your Interaction options such as commenting and tags, as well as muting/blocking options and activity status
  • LinkedIn
    • Choose the “Me” icon at the top of your LinkedIn Homepage.
    • Then select Settings & Privacy.
    • From here you can access your account and privacy settings, so you can change what information about you can be seen by others as well as how other parties are able to contact you.

These are just a few methods of accessing your privacy settings. For an even more extensive list of links on how to update your privacy settings, you can visit the NCSA’s StaySafeOnline Privacy settings page here.

You have more control over your online privacy than you may think, but always remember one golden rule of the internet, once it’s out there it’s out there.

neoRhino’s Security Awareness Team, certified IT consultants, and 24/7 helpdesk squad are here to help strengthen your online defenses. You can visit our homepage, see more about The War on CyberSecurity, or give us a call at (281) 779-4850, and we can manage your technology so you can manage your business.

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