How to Stay Safe from Excessive Data Collection Online

LAST UPDATED: DEC 03, 2024

Excessive Data Collection on your devices can expose your personal information to third parties, risking your privacy and leading to targeted ads. Taking simple steps can help protect your online privacy.

What is Excessive Data Collection?

Excessive Data Collection occurs when browsers, websites, or even applications gather more information than necessary. This may include:

• Browsing history
• Search queries
• Location data
• Personal identifiers such as email addresses

While some data collection is essential for functionality, excessive tracking can compromise your privacy and security.

How to spot Excessive Data Collection?

Being aware of these signs can help you avoid services that collect too much personal data.

• Frequent and Persistent Permission Requests
  Websites asking for unnecessary access to your cookie permission, location, contacts, or camera could be collecting too much data.
• Overly Personalized Ads
  Highly specific ads based on your activities may indicate excessive tracking.
• Complicated Privacy Policies
  Long or unclear privacy policies that share data with multiple third parties are a red flag.
• Forced Account Creation
  Requiring an account for basic features or asking for sensitive information may signal data over-collection.
• Slow Websites
  Websites that perform slowly may be running multiple trackers in the background.

What are the ways to avoid Excessive Data Collection?

• Disable Third-Party Cookies: Go to your browser's settings, select Privacy & Security, and block third-party cookies or trackers.
• Enable “Do Not Track” Feature: Turn on the Do Not Track feature in your browser to limit tracking by websites.
• Clear Browsing Data Regularly: Delete cookies, cache, and history regularly to remove stored data using ID Protection.
• Use Private Browsing Mode: Activate Incognito or Private Browsing Mode to prevent storing browsing history and cookies.
• Block Trackers and Ads: Install an extension tool, such as ID Protection, to stop unwanted tracking and ads.
• Activate Built-In Browser Security: Check your browser’s settings for anti-tracking options and turn them on.
• Be Wary of Websites you Visit: This may seem like the simplest step, but it is the most effective way to protect your privacy.

How can Trend Micro ID Protection monitor and guard your online activity?

To further secure your browsing activity, you can use the following Trend Micro ID Protection services:

• Monitor for Breaches: Scans the web for your personal information being misused or sold.
• Use a Reliable VPN: Encrypts your connection to hide your browsing activity from trackers.
• Receive Alerts and Notifications: Provides notifications if your data is compromised.
• Enable Anti-Tracking Features: Includes advanced tracking blockers for added privacy.
• Enable Ad-Blocking Features: Provides blocking capabilities for unwanted ads you may encounter while browsing the internet.

See also

• What is Trend Micro ID Protection?