Why Internet Privacy Has Become So Important These Days?

As of October 2019, the world population stands at about 7.7 billion and of these people, 57% have access to the internet. The percentages are much higher when we consider developed countries like the US where more than 80% are connected to the World Wide Web. This growth of digital connectivity has brought about a lot of convenience but at the same time, there are threats that can’t be ignored.

Moreover, in recent years, these risks have grown to an extent where a majority of the population doesn’t feel safe on the internet anymore. Why has internet privacy become such a big deal and why is its importance growing every day; these are questions that we’ll answer today.

What is meant by internet privacy?

According to Techopedia, internet or online privacy is the security level of personal information that exists on the digital airwaves. It is a term that includes techniques, technologies and practices used to safeguard sensitive communications and data on a network. In more layman terms, internet privacy is a measure of the extent to which personal information is secure while on the internet.

According to a survey, two in three Americans believe that internet access is a privilege while one in three consider it to be a human right. In either case, much like in normal life, each individual has their own personal data and they have the legal ownership to it. Spying on or stealing this information is a punishable offense much like theft is a crime in the real world.

Why it has become a big deal?

A large cause of the problem lies in the way we use the internet these days. From communication to financial transactions, almost everything is done online. Moreover, it is done ignoring the fact that criminal elements exist on the internet too. A wave of cybercrime in the last 5 years has brought out attention to the magnitude of the problem.

Now, people are beginning to realize what’s at stake. 53% more people are concerned about their online privacy today then there were last year. The attacks on websites we thought were secure like Facebook etc. have sent us further on the defensive and it has become hard to determine which platforms to trust and which not to.

Growth in cybercrime worldwide

The variety of malicious and illegal activities being conducted on the internet are collectively known as cybercrime. In 2014, annual losses from these practices stood at $3 trillion. At the end of 2019, that number is expected to double. That digit is staggering because it is equal to the GDP of many third world countries combined. And a sizeable chunk of these losses come from invasion of digital privacy.

Although in the beginning, the major target was large corporations because of their financial standing but since many large names have come under attack, these entities have begun to strengthen their defenses. This means that the focus has shifted towards small and medium enterprises or individuals. This is another factor that is contributing towards the growing concern of digital privacy.

Types of threats prevalent today

Hackers and cybercriminals had begun their onslaught long before we realized the extent of the problem. As a result, to this day, the industry acknowledges that they remain a step ahead of us at all times. There are a few documented ways of breaching internet privacy but as we discover and counter them, the criminals are able to develop newer ones on a regular basis.

Some common cybercrimes that have come to light include phishing, malware, IP tracking, hacking and ISP surveillance. Each of these have their own process through which they are committed and it is important that users be aware of these steps. Protecting your online privacy is in your own hands because no one else is going to do it for you.

‘Better to play safe than sorry’

While this phrase is a life mantra, it has become quite relevant when it comes to breach of internet privacy. Many users realize when the damage is already done and unfortunately, many doesn’t seem to recover from it. It has been seen that more than 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyberattack shut down within the next five years.

In order to tackle this situation, users have to take a few steps. The first is to learn more and more about the prevalent cybercrimes and how they are executed. This provides insights about how to protect from them too. Next and most important is to use credible anti-virus software and a VPN to protect your digital traffic at all times. 

Conclusion

A VPN or Virtual Private Network acts as a shield protecting your private information from any element trying to steal it. This is done through end-to-end encryption, secure servers and multiple safety protocols. If you are someone who is increasingly concerned about their online privacy, which everyone should be, then a secure VPN like Ivacy should be the service of your choice.

Author Bio:

Scott is a cyber-security professional. He’s been writing in the internet privacy niche for a while now and has churned variety of informational pieces to educate his audience. Connect with him on Twitter.

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