6 Parties Potentially Dangerous for Your Online Privacy

6 Parties Potentially Dangerous for Your Online Privacy

When people talk about potential online threats, what they fail to mention is that it’s often a person on the other end of the line who’s doing it. It’s not always a hacker either. Your phone could be compromised without you even knowing it because someone close, someone you would never doubt, installed something or sent you a malicious link. With that in mind, and to outfit you better to deal with this threat, here are the top six parties potentially dangerous to your online privacy.

1. Your spouse or partner

We’re not casting any allegations, but the reality is that your spouse has the means and the motivation to access all your devices. First of all, they use the same device. This means that they can install whatever they want there without raising any suspicion.

In the scenario where they figure out your password, you won’t even get a notification. Why? Well, it’s a login from a familiar device. Normally, when someone else logs into your social media or your email, you’ll get an alert, perhaps even be asked to confirm that it’s you via the 2FA method. Now, this won’t necessarily be offered to you.

Many tracking apps are discreet and run quietly in the background. A spouse could install one of these apps on your phone, but it will take you a while to realize it. This poses a significant privacy concern, especially when done without the owner’s consent. Most of these tools are made for cheating spouse tracking, but some people just love to be in control and use them to figure out their daily schedule.

They could also install a keylogger, which will help them figure out all your passwords with ease.

2. Coworkers

If you’re working in an office, you probably share the same Wi-Fi network with your coworkers, which is a huge online privacy risk. This means that they could potentially access your data if the network isn’t properly secured. Shared networks are vulnerable, and a tech-savvy coworker could snoop into your online activity without much effort.

Leaving your laptop or phone on your desk for even a few minutes might seem harmless, but coworkers who have physical access to your devices can quickly poke around. They could snoop through emails or documents, and if they’re malicious, they could also install spy software while you’re away.

Coworkers can sometimes send emails that look official but are actually phishing attempts. Even if they don’t mean harm, a simple mistake can expose you to a scam or malware. Clicking a link in a fake email could lead to your login details or personal information being stolen.

Malicious coworkers can also convince you to install what seems like work-related software but is actually malware. Once installed, this software could give them access to your files, messages, and even personal data. So, always double-check what you’re downloading.

3. Hackers

This is probably the first group you thought of after reading the title of the article. At the same time, this is the group that most people are aware is dangerous, which automatically means that they actively take means to protect themselves, unlike the previous two groups.

Hackers love weak passwords. If you’re using “123456” or “password” as a password, you’re just making it too easy for them. They use automated tools to guess these simple passwords, and once they’re in, they can take control of your email, social media, and more.

Public Wi-Fi, like a cafe or airport, is a goldmine for hackers. Since these networks are often unprotected, hackers can easily intercept your data as it’s transmitted. This means they can steal your personal information, passwords, or even credit card details while you’re just casually browsing.

Phishing attacks are when hackers send fake emails or messages pretending to be legitimate companies or people. We’ve already mentioned this while discussing coworkers.

Lastly, they can install malware or ransomware on your devices, locking you out until you pay a ransom or steal your data without you even realizing it.

4. People who just want to “borrow” your device

You must have encountered someone who has no network connection and just wants to “borrow” your phone to make a call. This could be a stranger, but it could also be someone you know, which would make it harder for you to say no.

Letting a friend or acquaintance borrow your phone might seem harmless, but while they’re “making a call”, they could open personal apps like social media or email. Without strict app-locking or privacy measures in place, they might access private messages, contacts, or sensitive information.

Just think about it: you’re already logged into these apps. This means that they don’t even have to know the password. They just have to tap on the icon to log in. They don’t even have to unlock the phone since you’ll do it for them.

It may sound extreme, but it would take so little time for someone to install spyware on your device. Installing a keylogger will take a few seconds, and they’ll soon get access to a lot of information.

5. Employers

There are a lot of bad employers out there. People who don’t have a problem exploiting you for profit, not paying you overtime, and expecting you to return their calls in the middle of the night on your free day. Sure, one might argue that being obnoxious and being malicious are not the same thing but is it so far-fetched to assume that a manager who would pour toxins in the local creek might not think twice before spying on you?

It’s common practice for employers to monitor your work emails and online activity, especially if you’re using company devices and if they’re using remote monitoring software. Even this, which is completely legal, might not be something that a lot of employees are comfortable with.

Employers collect a lot of personal data through HR systems, which might contain everything from your SSN to your health information. Sure, they might be legally allowed to have this information, but what if they later decide to use all of this information for something illegal?

The very potential for abuse is a serious matter that needs to be taken seriously.

6. Apps and websites you use

Many apps and websites collect more information than you realize. From your browsing habits to your location and device information, they gather detailed profiles of your online behavior. This data is often used to personalize ads, but it can also expose you to privacy risks if mishandled.

Some apps and websites make a profit by sharing or selling your data to third parties. This could include advertisers, marketers, or even data brokers. Once your information is sold, you have little control over its use. This could lead to unwanted marketing or a more serious privacy breach.

Even if you’re not actively using an app or a website, they might still track your location, browsing habits, or app usage. This constant data collection allows companies to build a comprehensive profile of you, which can be used for advertising or sold to third parties. This often happens without your consent.