How do I protect my data on the Internet?

Cache, history and more

If you want to prevent other users of your PC from seeing which pages you have visited, you must delete the pages stored in the cache after you have finished your work on the Internet. Most browsers can also be set so that accessed pages are not stored in the cache on the local hard disk in the first place. Likewise, you can determine whether the history is saved or disappears after each completed visit.

Cookies and spyware

In the browser, you can set what should happen to the cookies offered on the computer. You can either completely prevent cookies from being stored, allow cookies only for the current session, or generally allow cookies and only block cookies from certain sites. 

A very extensive list with instructions and tips on special checks is provided by Deutschland sicher im Netz.

Spam

In Germany, the sending of spam is prohibited, but this does not mean protection against the delivery of unwelcome advertising mails from abroad. However, the number of advertising mails in one's own mailbox will be significantly reduced if the electronic mail is first checked by the online filter of one's own e-mail service (e.g. web.de or gmx.de) and then by a filter program of the e-mail program (e.g. Outlook or Thunderbird).

If you often enter your e-mail address when shopping or entering competitions on the Internet, you will quickly find unwanted spam in your mailbox. It is therefore advisable to get a second e-mail address with an e-mail provider. If the flood of spam mails in this mailbox becomes too great, the address can be changed.

Password and passphrase

E-mail account, online store, online banking or chat. No matter what Internet service is involved, passwords are essential for user identification. They allow users to protect themselves from unauthorized intrusion by strangers. However, there are a few rules to be observed when composing a password: