Online privacy is crucial. Advertisers constantly track internet activities to show personalized ads, making it hard to browse freely. 

While companies claim they aren't eavesdropping, the amount of data collected from browsing behavior is staggering. 


How to Stop Advertisers from Tracking You Online

This guide outlines practical ways to protect privacy and block advertisers from tracking activities across the internet.


How Do Advertisers Track You?

Advertisers track your internet behavior through techniques like retargeting. They collect data such as websites visited, products viewed, and ads clicked. Algorithms then use this data to analyze patterns and build a profile of your interests.

Blocking third-party cookies is a key step to reducing tracking.


How to Block Cookies in Your Browser

1. Google Chrome

  • Click the three-dot menu in the upper right corner.
  • Select "Settings" > "Privacy and security" > "Site settings."
  • Click "Cookies and site data."
  • Enable "Block third-party cookies."

2. Microsoft Edge

  • Click the three-dot menu in the upper right corner.
  • Go to "Settings" > "Site permissions" > "Cookies and site data."
  • Block third-party cookies.

3. Mozilla Firefox

  • Open the three-line menu in the upper right corner.
  • Click "Settings" > "Privacy & Security."
  • Under "Custom," check the box for "All third-party cookies."

4. Safari

  • Open "Preferences" > "Privacy."
  • Select "Block all cookies" or "Prevent cross-site tracking."

Blocking cookies will help minimize tracking, but advertisers can still find other ways to gather data.


How to Use Incognito Mode

Incognito mode (or private browsing) prevents your browser from saving your browsing history or storing cookies after you close the window. It doesn’t hide activities from your internet provider, but it can prevent sites from retaining browsing data.

To open Incognito mode:

  • Chrome: Click the three-dot menu and select "New Incognito Window."
  • Firefox: Tap the three-line menu, then select "New Private Window."
  • Edge: Open the three-dot menu and choose "New InPrivate window."
  • Safari: Click "File" and select "New Private Window."

How to Use Privacy-Focused Search Engines

Search engines like Google track search history, linking it to ads. Switching to privacy-focused search engines can help limit tracking.

DuckDuckGo

  • DuckDuckGo doesn’t track, collect, or share your data. While its search results may not be as refined as Google’s, it prioritizes privacy.

Using search engines that don’t track activity is another way to reduce advertisers' access to personal data.


How to Adjust Security and Privacy Settings

Adjusting privacy settings on accounts like Facebook or Google can also help limit what information is shared.

  • Go to account settings and review security and privacy options.
  • Disable permissions for location tracking, data collection, and cookies where possible.

There’s no full-proof way to prevent all tracking, but tightening security and privacy settings adds an extra layer of protection.


How to Remove Information from Data Brokers

Data brokers collect and sell personal information such as names, addresses, income, and online behavior. To protect privacy, remove personal details from these platforms.

Steps to Remove Information:

  • Search for data removal services or manually opt out from popular data broker websites.

This process can be time-consuming but significantly limits how much personal information is available for sale.


How to Use a VPN

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts internet activity, hides IP addresses, and masks locations. VPNs can prevent advertisers from seeing where you browse or your real location, making it harder for them to deliver targeted ads.

Setting Up a VPN:

  • Download a trusted VPN app.
  • Enable it before browsing to secure data and prevent tracking.

Using a VPN increases security and privacy, giving you more control over online activities.


Recommended: How to Protect Your Phone Before and After Stolen

How to Protect Teens from Tracking

Teens aged 13 to 17 are especially vulnerable to online tracking due to advertising IDs embedded in their devices. Deleting these identifiers helps protect their privacy.

How to Delete Advertising IDs on Android:

  • Open "Settings" > "Security & Privacy" > "Privacy" > "Ads."
  • Select "Delete advertising ID" and confirm.

How to Delete Advertising IDs on iOS:

  • Go to "Settings" > "Privacy & Security" > "Tracking."
  • Turn off tracking for apps and set the “Allow Apps to Request to Track” option to off.

Regularly deleting advertising IDs can prevent advertisers from using tracking data for targeted ads.


Conclusion

Protecting online privacy requires actively managing browser settings, using private browsing modes, and blocking data collection methods. Regularly deleting advertising IDs, using privacy-first search engines, and employing VPNs further reduce advertisers’ ability to track online behavior.