Online Privacy
Privacy settings
A twenty-minute pass through the settings that matter.
4 min readBeginnerPrivacy
What You Need to Know
Defaults favor sharing. A single deliberate pass through the privacy menu of your main accounts changes what is visible for years.
Why It Matters
Most oversharing is accidental. Adjusting defaults protects you without changing how you use anything.
Warning Signs checklist
- Strangers can see your friends or contact list
- Posts default to public
- Search engines index your profile
- Old posts are visible to a much wider audience than intended
How to Protect Yourself steps
- 1Set new posts to friends or followers only
- 2Limit who can find you by phone number or email
- 3Restrict the visibility of past posts in bulk
- 4Recheck settings after major app updates
Quick Checklist
- Set new posts to friends or followers only
- Limit who can find you by phone number or email
- Restrict the visibility of past posts in bulk
- Recheck settings after major app updates
Helpful Resources
- The Curiosity EditLong-form essays on cyber, AI, and everyday technology.
- Career GalaxyDiscover the careers built around this exact problem.
- Government resourcesOfficial reporting and recovery links, being verified before we publish them.
- Trusted nonprofitsCommunity partners offering free education and support, list in progress.
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