How to Improve Your Digital Privacy and Security in Everyday Life

This WIRED article, written by Matt Burgess and others, offers a practical overview of how individuals can better protect their digital privacy and security. In light of increasing surveillance capabilities—especially following President Donald Trump’s return to office—and widespread data collection by corporations, the guide aims to simplify key actions for everyday users. Experts recommend enabling multifactor authentication on all possible accounts, using privacy-respecting browsers like Brave or Firefox, and search engines such as DuckDuckGo. The article also highlights the importance of using encrypted messaging apps like Signal and secure password managers.

For travel-related privacy, especially when crossing borders, suggestions include removing sensitive apps and data from your devices or using a dedicated ‘travel phone’. On the topic of smart devices, the article warns of the privacy trade-offs of having always-on assistants like Alexa. It also cautions against oversharing with AI tools, which collect vast data that can be used for training and possibly resold.

VPNs such as Proton VPN are recommended, especially for non-US users, and the use of burner or masked email addresses is advised for less critical services. The article stresses that digital privacy is a human right, not about ‘having something to hide’, and encourages taking small steps rather than being overwhelmed by the process.