Protect your privacy: 7 ways to secure your social media and email accounts

Scam emails that know personal details about your family. Advertisers that stalk you across the web. Social-savvy burglars who know when you're away. These threats are real, but there are plenty of ways to keep yourself protected.

Online privacy shouldn't be such a burden. It's dull and onerous to delete old, forgotten accounts and methodically work through privacy settings. But it's worth it when data breaches continue to hit organisations.

Below, we've rounded up our top tips to secure your online data. You don't need to go through all of them at once, so consider bookmarking this page and revisiting it when you have time.

News, deals and stuff the manuals don't tell you. 

1. Run a privacy checkup for your Google account

⏱️ How long does it take?is 

Setting up a new Google account

Express Manual Web & App Activity

Revisiting an existing Google account

Manage your Google AccountData & PrivacyHistory settingsWeb & App ActivityData and PrivacyPersonalized adsMy Ad CenterPersonal results in SearchundefinedWhile we're talking privacy, remember that VPN software can keep some parts of your online web activity hidden. See our  for more details.

2. Try Google's Password Manager

⏱️ How long does it take?Password ManagerManage passwordsCheckup We reveal the  - find out which free antivirus came out on top in our tough lab tests.

3. Check your privacy settings on Facebook

⏱️ How long does it take? Around 5 minutes per category in the Privacy Checkup tool. Menu Settings & PrivacySettings & Privacy Privacy Checkup. 

Here, you'll see a list of categories with customisable settings, including:

How people can find you on FacebookHow to keep your account secure Your ad preferences on Facebook 

4. Secure Outlook

⏱️ How long does it take? Continue cog iconSettingsGeneral. Privacy and dataprofile iconsettings cog iconPrivacy settingsAdvertising preferencesSearch history

5. Explore the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard

⏱️ How long does it take? Around 10-20 minutes to fully explore and make changes.Privacy Security infoPrivacy DashboardMore privacy settingsPersonalised ad settingsApps and services

6. Manage your Amazon browsing history

⏱️ How long does it take? Less than 5 minutes to clear history and adjust preferences.Your Browsing Historycog iconCookie Preferences Advertising preferences 

7. Check your PayPal permissions

⏱️ How long does it take? Around 10 minutes to explore all of the Data and Privacy categories.Data & PrivacyManage your cookies Marketing Essential Interest-based marketing 

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source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/ways-to-secure-your-social-media-and-email-accounts-a0EFY9t7CbCU