A “data breach” happens when a company or organization that holds your personal information gets hacked or leaks information by mistake. This can include things like: Once this information is out there, it can be used (sometimes months or even…
Category: Data Privacy
Privacy for the Everyday Person (11): Smart Assistants and Privacy (Why You Might Want to Skip Saying “Hey Alexa”)
Smart assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri can be handy. You can ask them to play music, set a timer, or check the weather, all by just talking. But the way they work comes with real privacy…
Privacy for the Everyday Person (10): Health Trackers
Health apps can help you track your steps, workouts, heart rate, sleep, or even your menstrual cycle. They’re built into many phones (like Apple Health, Samsung Health, and Google Fit) or downloaded separately (like Strava and Flo). These apps are…
Privacy for the Everyday Person (9): Online Video Players
When you sit down to watch a video, the last thing you want is to be watched back! But that’s exactly what happens when you use YouTube, streaming services, and smart TVs. These tools are designed for convenience, but they…
Privacy for the Everyday Person (8): The Cloud
You’ve probably heard the phrase “the Cloud.” But what does that really mean? The Cloud is a way to store your files (like photos, documents, or backups) on someone else’s computer that has much more memory than yours, most often…
Privacy for the Everyday Person (7): Video Calls
Remember when video calls felt like something from the future? Now they’re everywhere—school meetings, doctor visits, job interviews, check-ins with family, and even game nights. Whether you’re using FaceTime, Zoom, Meetings, or WhatsApp, video conferencing is how a lot of…
Privacy for the Everyday Person (6): Browsers, Search Engines, and the Tools That Help You Stay Private Online
Every time you open your internet browser (whether it’s Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge) you’re leaving little digital breadcrumbs behind. Those breadcrumbs tell companies what you search for, what websites you visit, how long you stay there, and sometimes even…
Privacy for the Everyday Person (5): Private Texting
How to Send Messages Without Everyone Reading What You Wrote Texting with a smartphone is how most of us talk: quick messages to friends, partners, coworkers, or family. But here’s something many people don’t realize—not all texts are private!…
Privacy for the Everyday Person (4): Password Managers
What’s a Password Manager and Why Should I Care? Ever forget a password and get stuck clicking “Reset my password” over and over? Or worse—do you use the same password for more than one site? (No shame. Most people do.)…
Privacy for the Everyday Person (3): Email
Email is like a digital postcard: easy to send, easy to read—and easy to intercept. Most people use email every day—for work, for online shopping, for communicating with friends, family, doctors, therapists, customer support, and for a lot more things……