How to Keep My Privacy While in the Military: 10 Essential Tips for Service Members and Families
Brad Baker
If you’re wondering, “How to keep my privacy while in the military,” you’re not alone. Military life brings unique challenges when it comes to protecting personal information. Whether you’re on active duty, in the reserves, or a family member, maintaining privacy is essential for your security, both online and offline. From avoiding identity theft to safeguarding details about your deployments and family, there are practical steps you can take to increase privacy. This guide covers ten easy strategies tailored to help soldiers and military families protect their personal data while staying connected. With just a few simple habits, you can keep your information safe, secure, and private.
1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
A strong password is the first line of defense for your personal information. Avoid using obvious choices like “password123” or your birthday. Instead, create passwords that are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters (like @, #, or $). This makes it harder for hackers to guess.
It’s also important to use different passwords for different accounts. For example, don’t use the same password for both your bank account and your social media profiles. A password manager such as 1Password can help you keep track of multiple passwords securely. This software stores and remembers your passwords, so you only need to remember one master password. By using unique passwords for every account, you’re lowering the risk that all your accounts will be compromised if one password is stolen.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. When you log in with 2FA, you’ll enter your password and a second form of verification, like a code sent to your phone. This makes it much harder for hackers to break into your accounts, even if they have your password.
Many banks, social media platforms, and email providers offer 2FA. To set it up, look in the account settings for the option to add 2FA. It’s a good idea to enable 2FA on any account that contains sensitive information, like banking apps, military portals, and personal email.
Using a YubiKey is a powerful way to enhance your digital security, especially for service members and military families who need to protect sensitive information. A YubiKey is a small physical device that acts as a key to secure online accounts and protect against unauthorized access. It uses two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA), adding an extra layer of security beyond just a password. When logging into an account, you’ll need both your password and the YubiKey to gain access. The device connects to your computer, phone, or tablet via USB or NFC (Near Field Communication), making it easy to use across different devices.
Unlike SMS-based 2FA, which can be vulnerable to hacking, YubiKeys use encrypted technology to prevent unauthorized logins. This makes it especially valuable for securing accounts that store sensitive data, like military portals, banking apps, and personal emails. YubiKeys are durable and compact, making them easy to carry on a keychain. Even if someone gains access to your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the YubiKey. By using a YubiKey, you can significantly improve your online security and protect your privacy, ensuring that your accounts remain secure in a digital world.
3. Limit Social Media Sharing
Social media can be fun, but sharing too much can put your privacy at risk. Be cautious about posting details like your location, work schedule, or family activities. Even sharing simple things like photos in uniform or your current location could expose information to the wrong people.
Most social media platforms let you control who can see your posts. For added privacy, consider setting your accounts to “private,” so only people you approve can view your content. Also, avoid posting anything that could reveal personal information, such as your address, phone number, or details about your deployments.
4. Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks, like those at cafes, hotels, or airports, are convenient but can be risky. Hackers can easily intercept information sent over these networks, putting your data at risk. Try to avoid logging into sensitive accounts, like your bank or military portals, when using public Wi-Fi.
If you must use public Wi-Fi, consider using a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it harder for others to see your online activity. There are many VPN services available; look for one with good reviews and a strong security reputation. Many VPNs are affordable, and some even offer free basic versions. Check out the secure travel WiFi router GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 making it easy to setup and use VPN.
5. Use a VPN for Internet Browsing
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) hides your IP address and encrypts your online activity. This makes it harder for hackers or websites to track you. A VPN is especially useful when you’re using public Wi-Fi, but it also helps protect your privacy on your home network.
VPNs are easy to set up. Most VPN services have apps you can download on your phone, tablet, or computer. Once you’re logged into the app, it will automatically connect you to a secure server, protecting your online browsing. Many soldiers and families use VPNs to feel safer when accessing personal or financial information online.
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6. Regularly Review App Permissions
Apps often request access to things like your location, camera, or contacts. While some permissions are necessary, others may not be. For example, a navigation app needs location access, but a game app doesn’t need access to your contacts or photos.
To check permissions, go to your phone’s settings and look for the “Permissions” or “App Permissions” section. This will show which apps have access to your information. If you see anything that seems unnecessary, turn off the permission. You can always grant access again if you need it. Keeping unnecessary permissions off helps prevent apps from collecting information about you without your knowledge.
7. Disable Location Tracking
Turning off location tracking on your devices when it’s not needed is a good privacy practice. Many apps collect location data by default, which can give away your whereabouts.
Most smartphones allow you to turn off location tracking in the settings menu. You can also choose to enable it only when using specific apps. For example, you may want to allow location tracking for maps but disable it for social media or games. Reducing location sharing limits how much information apps and websites can gather about where you are.
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8. Use Encrypted Messaging Apps
Messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp offer end-to-end encryption, which means that only you and the person you’re messaging can read your messages. This encryption protects your conversations from being accessed by hackers or other third parties.
Using these apps adds a layer of privacy to your communication, especially for sensitive topics. You can download these apps from your app store and use them just like regular messaging apps. If privacy is important to you, encrypted messaging is a great option.
9. Regularly Update Software and Devices
Keeping your software and devices up to date is a simple yet effective way to improve security. Software updates often include patches that fix security weaknesses hackers could exploit. This applies to everything from your phone and computer operating systems to individual apps and programs.
Many devices offer automatic updates, which makes it easy to stay current. Just enable automatic updates in your device’s settings. When updates aren’t available automatically, set a reminder to check for them regularly. By keeping your software up-to-date, you’re helping to block potential security threats.
10. Limit Browser Tracking
Browsers and websites often use cookies and trackers to monitor your online activity. While cookies can be useful (for instance, by remembering your login), they also collect data about you. You can take steps to reduce tracking and protect your privacy.
First, consider using a privacy-focused browser like Firefox or Brave, which have built-in features to block trackers. You can also install privacy tools like Privacy Badger or ad blockers to stop websites from tracking your activity. Regularly clearing your browsing history, cookies, and cache helps as well. If you want extra privacy for certain activities, use “incognito” or “private” browsing mode, which doesn’t save your history or cookies.
Final Thoughts
Personal privacy is important for everyone, especially military families who need to keep personal and mission-related information secure. By taking these steps, you can protect your data and reduce the risk of it falling into the wrong hands. Start with one or two changes and build from there—each step helps strengthen your privacy and security.
