Has social media got too much for some of us?
Many Brits are starting to regret sharing their lives online - with a staggering THIRD saying they would delete themselves entirely from the internet if they could.
Despite most of us being internet-savvy, it appears social media heavyweights such as facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Snapchat are proving a little overbearing for some.
So much so, that some 33 per cent would opt to erase all traces of their identity from the web if possible, according to research by cybersecurity company NordVPN.
'Please get rid of these things!'
Even if they don’t want to disappear entirely, there are certain things Brits would rather see removed:
36 per cent — Unflattering photos/videos
25 per cent — Embarrassing moments
25 per cent — Old dating/social media profiles
16 per cent — Previous employment history
Incredibly, some people would even be willing to pay to remain completely anonymous online.
A quarter (26 per cent) of Brits would pay up to £100, four per cent would fork out between £100 and £500 and two per cent would stump up between £500 and £1,000, with a further two per cent prepared to pay even more.
With internet users becoming increasingly commercially aware, nearly half (46 per cent) of respondents say they felt used by companies collecting and exploiting their data.
While a similar number (43 per cent) felt there was no reason for their name to be online at all.
'Only a matter of time before I'm hacked'
NordVPN’s survey shows a third (35 per cent) said they don’t trust the internet and three in ten (28 per cent) believe it’s only a matter of time before someone hacks their devices.
Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN , said: “We put so much information online now, it’s virtually impossible to remove your online identity entirely.
"What this research reveals is that people are now much more aware of how valuable their data is and who wants to exploit it.
“For most people, having a digital footprint is no longer a choice. Adopting good online habits is the key to safeguarding your data and staying safe on the internet.
"Using more sophisticated passwords, anti-virus tools and virtual private networks will drastically reduce your chances of being targeted by cybercriminals.”
Top tips to stay safe online
Use strong passwords. Take advantage of advanced features in computers and mobile phones that suggest strong passwords for you. The NordPass tool also generates and stores complex passwords.
Encrypt your files. Even if someone got hold of your files, they would not be able to access them.
Use common sense. Don’t click on suspicious links or ads, and avoid opening suspicious messages or websites. Do not give out personal data to people or companies you don’t know.
Keep your social accounts private. Make your social media pages visible only to people you know and trust.
Do not share your personal information. Keep details like your phone number or home address out of the public eye.
Use a VPN service. It will encrypt your traffic and hackers won’t be able to see what you do online. Using a VPN is essential if you use public Wi-Fi or share sensitive files over the internet.
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