Although discussed a lot, online protection of personal data has always been a “too serious” talk that didn’t necessarily interest the lambda Internet user. Or, at least, that same lambda user thought he had nothing critical to hide from the Internet – which is definitely not true. Learn more about the personal data protection.

Personal data protection video

In fact, as Internet users, we’re too busy using our favorite online platforms that we usually forget how exposed we are. And that’s what I like about the video that I’m showing here.

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Have you noticed how those same people in the video still act as if everything were normal even though, in between, they’re completely exposed and naked: call it unconsciousness or exhibitionism but there’s definitely something we need to worry about. After all, who wants to be the next guy in town that has his very life exposed to all the city?

Be aware of your personal data protection

What I also like about this smartly conceived video is how it refers to the usual things we do:

The guy at the airport terminal playing with his tablet

How can common such situation be? And I’m sure most travelers can relate to this. I know I’ve been using some airport-provided Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet while waiting for my check-in (especially during transit).

Well, if you don’t connect to Wi-Fi, but only use your computer or tablet for watching movies, the risks are limited – but since we are addicted to the internet, chances are that we would want to go online.

With the advent of WiMax technologies, I experienced, somewhere in Cape Town, a case where the Wi-Fi codes that my hotel gave me could still work with the Wi-Fi system that Cape Town airport is using. In fact, they were using the same provider, though the ability to do so. While this was quite practical, I guess this makes that same Wi-Fi installation more prone to hacks and attempts to get into the lambda user computer. I guess that the same kind of system also exists in other big (or not so big) cities all around the world.

So what’s the point here? Don’t be like that guy at the airport transit surfing with his tablet (or laptop) and be publicly exposed without even knowing it. At least, use a VPN solution that will protect your connection from hackers and spies.

Look at that woman working at the office

She just thinks that it’s a safe environment (probably because she assumes that the same office has IT support people who manage to protect her personal data while she’s online).

We all go on the Internet doing things that aren’t necessarily related to our work. And even if we don’t, chances are that the tools that we use at work (browsers, e-mail software) have some built-in tracking feature that will expose some of the personal things that we do online. Those can be cookies or logs that can be stored on your computer, or on some of the office’s server. The fact is, most of the things related to the internet connection are not only limited to you and your own computer. Some solutions exist so as to limit exposing your personal data: either surf in the incognito mode of your browser or try enabling your browser’s do-no-track feature. This later has some limitations though.

Conclusion

Anyway, I strongly recommend you sharing this same article to people who do not necessarily care about protecting their personal data online: I expect that humorous tone that the video adopts will help open their eyes.