How to protect your personal information online: 15 tips to help you do it right

What is considered personal information?

Personal information is any information that can be related to a specific person, either directly or indirectly. It covers core sensitive details used for identification:

• Full name
• Date and place of birth
• Biometrics
• Nationality
• Home address
• Phone number and email address
• Identifiable documents
• Social Security number
• Financial and medical records

Other information, like your level of education, employment status, beliefs, and opinions that can be more publicly accessible, also count. On the internet, it includes login credentials and content you share. Personal information is protected by data privacy legislation like the GDPR in the EU and the CPRA in California.

Why is it important to protect your personal information?

Data breaches are among the biggest digital threats to personal information. They often target confidential and sensitive data, like passwords, email addresses, and Social Security numbers. Cybercriminals use social engineering attacks like phishing to steal this information directly from the users. Victims might not know that their information is on the dark web unless they use dedicated monitoring tools or the breach is publicized. 

Data breach incidents are often large-scale, affecting millions of users. In June 2025, Cybernews reported a massive data breach involving 16 billion passwords. Although many of the entries were suspected to be duplicates gathered from previous smaller data breaches, a sizeable chunk was newly breached information.

Hackers sell stolen data on the shadow market for profit or utilize it for their own criminal activities. They gain access to email inboxes, social media accounts, banking or medical portals, and impersonate users whose data they’ve stolen. Unusual account activity and sudden password changes without the user’s knowledge following a data breach can be signs of identity theft.

Breached data opens doors for more sensitive personal information to be compromised. Using digital data, cybercriminals can find out who their target is offline and commit identity fraud. This can have long-lasting consequences on the users, impacting their credit score or even creating trouble with legal authorities.

15 tips to protect your personal information

Here are some of the best habits you can pick up to adopt the best digital hygiene practices and safeguard your sensitive information.

1. Use strong and unique passwords

Reusing the same passwords for multiple accounts for convenience is tempting, but it comes at the cost of security. If a single password is breached, all other accounts using the same login credentials are at risk of being compromised. Use different passwords for each account you create to protect your personal information from unauthorized access. A strong password should be at least eight characters long and contain lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. You can use a password manager to store and generate login credentials more easily.

2. Set up two-factor authentication (2FA)

Even if your login credentials are breached, you can still protect your accounts from unauthorized access by switching on two-factor authentication (2FA). It adds an extra layer to your login process. After entering your credentials, you can use biometrics, like fingerprint or facial recognition, or generate a one-time code to confirm it’s actually you trying to log in. Without your authentication device, cybercriminals can’t easily access your account.

3. Avoid oversharing on social media

Have you ever heard the saying “Once it’s on the internet, it’s there forever”? Although it’s not completely accurate considering data storage practices, it’s worth keeping in mind on social media. Be mindful of what you post — you might accidentally reveal your location in a photo or post a private message on your feed. To protect your personal information on social media, regularly review old content and archive or delete it altogether.

4. Keep your software and apps updated

Updates can feel like a hassle, but they’re necessary for your data security. Outdated software can have security vulnerabilities that future updates patch. Ensure all your programs run the latest version and consider setting up automatic updates. Don’t forget your mobile apps either — your phone can be just as vulnerable to digital threats.

5. Use antivirus and anti-malware protection

Sometimes digital threats slip through the cracks in the system. A cybercriminal notices a zero-day vulnerability and infiltrates your device before you can download the patch update. Get reliable antivirus and anti-malware software to protect your device and quarantine threats before they can cause damage to your systems or enable access to your personal files.

6. Use a virtual private network (VPN) on public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi spots are some of the riskiest places to access your private data. Cybercriminals use unencrypted networks to intercept your browsing session and steal your information. Use a virtual private network whenever you use a public connection. It encrypts your traffic and protects your data privacy.

7. Limit permissions for apps and browser extensions

When you download new apps and extensions, review what permissions they need. Some might just send you notifications or connect to the internet. Others are more extensive, requesting access to your storage, microphone, location, and camera. Having a high level of access increases the risk of your personal data being compromised. Review all apps on your device and limit what permissions you grant them.

8. Be cautious with phishing emails and scams

Email scam remains one of the most common types of phishing. Always review the email you receive for classic phishing red flags. See if the sender’s email address is accurate and doesn’t use numbers or extra letters to mimic a legitimate domain. Check for unusual spelling mistakes and, if you’ve received emails from the real sender in the past, compare them to the potential scam email.

9. Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments

Gone are the days of flashy websites with loud pop-ups announcing your device has been hacked. Hackers have become subtler and more sophisticated, replicating real websites more accurately. Be wary of shortened domains and misspelled web links. Avoid clicking banners or buttons if you’re not certain the website is real. Don’t open suspicious downloads or file attachments — they might contain malware.

10. Use encrypted messaging apps

Sometimes you want to share private information, but a messaging app is your quickest option. In these instances, use an encrypted messaging app. It offers a higher level of security and protects your data from unauthorized exposure to a third party.

11. Review privacy settings on all your accounts

If you keep public profiles, anyone can access information that you publish. Consider setting your online accounts private or restricting visibility to prevent strangers from viewing, saving, and resharing your content.

12. Regularly check your credit report and bank statements

Unusual financial activity can often be a sign of compromised sensitive information. Check your credit report and bank statements periodically for charges you didn’t make. You can set up NordProtect’s credit monitoring to view credit score changes, get an updated monthly credit report, and receive alerts if it detects suspicious activity.

13. Opt out of data brokers and marketing lists

Data breaches aren’t the only threat to your personal information. Data brokers gather and sell your data to third parties. You can’t be sure who those third parties are and whether they will handle your data securely or maliciously. Opt out of data collection services to protect your personal information from getting into the wrong hands.

14. Shred documents with personal data before disposal

The safety of your personal details offline is just as important as protecting your digital data. Handle confidential physical documents with care. Keep them in a secure location and, if you need to dispose of them, shred them first to make the content illegible.

15. Educate yourself and others about digital privacy

You might’ve heard of digital privacy laws, like the aforementioned GDPR and CPRA. But do you know how they can help you in practice? Look into legislation in your region and see how it protects your rights to data privacy. Share this knowledge with your friends and family — you never know when someone might need to protect their personal information.

What to do if your personal information has already been stolen

Despite your best efforts, some of your personal info can still wind up in a data breach. If you’ve learned that your private data is on the dark web, you can take the following steps to protect yourself from identity fraud.

• Freeze your credit. Monitor your financial activity, and if you notice any irregular activity, like unauthorized purchases or loans, you should immediately freeze your credit with all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
• Set up fraud alerts. If you want to continue using your credit cards, you can set up a fraud alert instead. This way, criminals won’t be able to use your credit, because you’ll have to prove your identity for every request.
• Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA). To protect your Social Security number in case of identity theft, you can get in touch with the SSA. It can help you report fraud. If your SSN has been compromised, you may be able to apply for a new one with the SSA.
• Report identity theft. If you need to report identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately and file a police report to start the investigation. Check out our blog post on what to do if your identity has been stolen for more dedicated advice.
• Scan the dark web. Many breaches go unreported for months, and users might not know their data has been compromised. NordProtect’s dark web monitoring tool continuously tracks email addresses, phones, and Social Security numbers and sends alerts if adjacent credentials have been breached.
• Reinforce your account security. If any of your accounts have been compromised, you must change your passwords and set up two-factor authentication immediately. Ensure all your new passwords are strong and unique and don’t share them with anyone else.
• Get identity theft protection. Even if you haven’t seen any red flags yet, it’s best to keep your guard up. By signing up for NordProtect’s identity theft protection service, you become eligible for financial support if you become a victim of identity theft.