How to Delete Yourself From the Internet: 5 Simple Steps to Protect Your Data

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2025-01-28

💻 Your personal data is everywhere—but here are 5 ways to start taking it back:

1️⃣ Delete old apps: Unused apps can still collect your data. Removing them and adjusting app permissions closes potential data leaks.

2️⃣ Delete old accounts: Forgotten accounts leave your info exposed. Clean them up to reduce your digital footprint.

3️⃣ Make social media private: Adjust privacy settings to keep personal info away from strangers.

4️⃣ Remove info from data brokers: Use tools like Incogni to send removal requests to people search sites that sell your data.

5️⃣ Take preventive measures: Use a VPN to keep browsing private and tweak phone settings to limit data collection.

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In today’s digital age, protecting your online presence is more critical than ever. The steps outlined above provide a solid foundation for reducing your digital footprint, but there’s more you can do to enhance your cybersecurity. Here are some advanced Linux-based commands and tools to further secure your data:

1. Use Tor for Anonymous Browsing:

Install Tor to anonymize your internet traffic:

sudo apt-get install tor

Start the Tor service: sudo service tor start

2. Encrypt Files with GPG:

Encrypt sensitive files using GPG:

gpg -c filename

Decrypt the file when needed: gpg -d filename.gpg > filename

3. Monitor Network Traffic:

Use `tcpdump` to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity:

sudo tcpdump -i eth0 4. Check for Open Ports: Use `nmap` to scan your system for open ports: “`bash sudo nmap -sT -O localhost [/bash]

5. Secure SSH Access:

Disable root login and change the default SSH port:

Edit `/etc/ssh/sshd_config`:

PermitRootLogin no

Port 2222

Restart the SSH service: sudo systemctl restart sshd

6. Use Firewalls:

Configure `ufw` (Uncomplicated Firewall) to restrict unwanted traffic:

sudo ufw enable

sudo ufw allow 2222/tcp

sudo ufw deny 22/tcp

 7. Remove Metadata from Files: Use `mat2` to strip metadata from files:
sudo apt-get install mat2 mat2 --inplace filename

8. Check for Vulnerabilities:

Use `lynis` for system auditing:

sudo apt-get install lynis

sudo lynis audit system

9. Secure Your Browser: Install privacy-focused browser extensions like uBlock Origin and HTTPS Everywhere.
10. Regularly Update Your System: Keep your system secure by updating regularly:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

For further reading, visit:

– Tor Project: https://www.torproject.org/

– GPG Documentation: https://gnupg.org/documentation/

– Nmap Official Site: https://nmap.org/

– Lynis Security Auditing: https://cisofy.com/lynis/

By combining these technical measures with the initial steps, you can significantly reduce your digital exposure and protect your personal data from prying eyes. Stay vigilant and proactive in your cybersecurity efforts.

References:

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