In today’s interconnected world, protecting personal data online has become increasingly crucial. This article presents expert-backed strategies to minimize your digital footprint and enhance online privacy. From utilizing privacy-focused services to employing unique email aliases, these practical tips will help safeguard your personal information in the digital realm.

  • Use Privacy-Focused Services
  • Delete Unused Accounts and Unsubscribe
  • Compartmentalize Browsing with Multiple Profiles
  • Separate Email Aliases for Different Purposes
  • Create Unique Burner Emails for Signups
  • Maintain Separate Logged-In and Anonymous Environments
  • Strategically Control Location Services
  • Utilize Single-Use Virtual Payment Cards
  • Limit Social Media Exposure Intentionally
  • Clear Cookies and Site Data Regularly
  • Containerize Online Behavior Across Devices
  • Use Email Masking for Service Signups
  • Employ Privacy-Focused Browsers with Blockers
  • Avoid Inputting Personal Data into AI Tools
  • Generate Unique Aliases for Email Forwarding

Use Privacy-Focused Services

The best way to minimize the collection of personal data online is to use privacy-focused services, for example:

  • Search Engines: DuckDuckGo, Startpage, Mojeek.
  • Email Providers: ProtonMail, Tutanota, Mailbox.
  • Cloud Storage: Tresorit, Sync, Internxt.
  • Messaging Apps: Signal, Session, Threema.

My additional recommendations are to avoid social login, steer clear of quizzes, free surveys, and giveaways that request personal information, restrict app permissions (location, microphone, contacts) in mobile settings, and use privacy tools and add-ons like uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger.

The best strategy to minimize the collection of personal data online is to use only reputable apps that were designed with privacy in mind from the start.

To gauge an app’s reputability, check if the company that developed it provides a transparent and detailed privacy policy, has security management certifications (e.g., ISO 27001) or other proofs of independent audits, and maintains a positive image across its industry’s community.

Such apps collect only the data that is strictly necessary for the intended purpose, securely delete any information that is no longer needed, and substitute sensitive identifiers with tokens wherever possible.

Besides, they use data redaction techniques, such as displaying only the last four digits of a credit card or masking phone numbers, which helps further reduce exposure.

In addition, reputable software development companies usually conduct regular data audits and apply role-based access controls within their software systems to ensure that even the minimum necessary data required for an app’s function is appropriately managed and protected.

Dmitry KurskovDmitry Kurskov
Head of Information Security Department and Principal Cybersecurity Architect, ScienceSoft

Delete Unused Accounts and Unsubscribe

I delete accounts I don’t use (so there are fewer platforms where my personal information can be found and breached) and unsubscribe from the newsletters I don’t read (so companies don’t benefit from my data and don’t sell it further).

It would take forever to do this manually, so I co-founded my company – a startup that makes it easy to spot and get rid of old accounts, mailing lists, etc.

Chris ZeunstromChris Zeunstrom
CEO & Co-Founder, Yorba

Compartmentalize Browsing with Multiple Profiles

One simple but powerful strategy I use is compartmentalized browsing with multiple profiles and privacy extensions. I’ve got one Chrome profile strictly for banking and sensitive tasks, another for casual browsing, and one for social media and work logins. Each one has its own set of cookies, permissions, and even extensions—like uBlock Origin, DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials, and Privacy Badger.

This setup keeps trackers from stitching together a full picture of my behavior across the web. If I search for a flight on one profile, I don’t suddenly see travel ads on another. It’s not just about avoiding creepy targeting; it’s about creating control over how your digital identity is stitched together. And when I really don’t want to leave a trace? I hit Firefox with hardened privacy settings or Tor for good measure.

You don’t have to disappear from the internet to take back some privacy; you just have to stop making it easy.

Daniel HaiemDaniel Haiem
CEO, App Makers LA

Separate Email Aliases for Different Purposes

One thing I’ve found really helpful for protecting my personal data online is using different email aliases and browser profiles for different parts of my life. I have one email for work, another for newsletters and sign-ups, and a separate one for personal stuff. I do the same with browser profiles by keeping one for general browsing and another for anything work-related.

It might sound like a lot, but it actually makes things easier to manage. If I start getting spam or weird ads, I can quickly figure out where they came from. And since everything is separated, it’s harder for companies to build a full picture of me.

This approach came from how we think about privacy in web design. It’s all about limiting what’s exposed by default. Now I apply that mindset to my own habits. It gives me a bit more control over what I’m sharing without making things overly complicated.

Nirmal GyanwaliNirmal Gyanwali
Website Designer, Nirmal Web Agency

Create Unique Burner Emails for Signups

One simple but powerful strategy I use to minimize personal data collection is creating burner email addresses for non-essential signups. I use a custom domain with catch-all email forwarding, so every service gets a unique address (like [email protected] or [email protected]).

If I start getting spam or notice data misuse, I can instantly identify where it leaked and shut it down without affecting my primary inbox.

This approach has saved me from endless tracking, targeted ads, and even a phishing attempt or two. It’s like giving out decoys to protect the real you online. Plus, it makes companies think twice when they know they’re not dealing with a throwaway Gmail account.

Ahmed YousufAhmed Yousuf
SEO Expert & Financial Author, Customers Chain

Maintain Separate Logged-In and Anonymous Environments

One of the most effective strategies I use to minimize personal data collection online is maintaining two entirely separate browser environments—one for “logged-in life” and one for “anonymous research mode.” It’s not just incognito; it’s fully siloed.

In practice, I use a hardened Firefox profile with all tracking protection maximized and no logins for anything research-related—searches, news browsing, testing client competitors, etc. Then I keep Chrome for accounts where I need personalization (like Google Docs, Slack, or Notion). Each environment runs in its own container, with extensions like uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, and LocalCDN keeping trackers out.

The key insight? Most data collection isn’t from the creepy one-offs—it’s the slow bleed of being logged into Google, Meta, or Amazon while doing something completely unrelated. This setup dramatically limits cross-site tracking and fingerprinting while still keeping workflow efficient.

If you want to cut your data exposure without going full tinfoil, start by separating your research from your logins. It’s a small shift that pays off fast in both privacy and mental clarity.

Patric EdwardsPatric Edwards
Founder & Principal Software Architect, Cirrus Bridge

Strategically Control Location Services

Disable location services for all apps except navigation and emergency services, then manually enable location only when specifically needed for particular activities. Most people either leave location services completely enabled or disabled, missing the strategic middle ground of granular control that maintains functionality while minimizing tracking.

The implementation involves:

  • Reviewing app permissions quarterly to remove location access creep
  • Using “Ask Next Time” settings rather than permanent permissions
  • Disabling location history in Google/Apple accounts while maintaining device functionality

What makes this particularly effective: location data creates the most comprehensive behavioral profiles because it reveals daily routines, work locations, social connections, and personal interests through movement patterns.

By controlling this single data type strategically, you can maintain app functionality while significantly reducing profile accuracy.

The surprising discovery: most apps requesting location permissions don’t actually need them for core functionality – they’re collecting this data purely for advertising and analytics purposes that provide no user benefit.

John PennypackerJohn Pennypacker
VP of Marketing & Sales, Deep Cognition

Utilize Single-Use Virtual Payment Cards

Personal data earns no yield, so I treat it like idle cash and keep it off my books. My chief tactic is single-use virtual payment cards. The bank’s API lets me mint a fresh 16-digit number, its own CVV, and a hard limit equal to the invoice plus five percent the moment I check out. The token is locked to that merchant, so a dark-web thief cannot reuse it, and the processor never shares my real account or billing address with downstream aggregators. I pair the card with a masked email alias generated on my domain registrar and a parcel-locker shipping address. The trio severs the link between purchase history, identity, and location. At month-end, I bulk-revoke every active token; any site trying to bill again receives an instant decline that alerts me to hidden subscriptions. The discipline mirrors treasury work: isolate risk, cap exposure, reconcile fast.

Jonathan OrzeJonathan Orze
CFO, InGenius Prep

Limit Social Media Exposure Intentionally

To minimize the collection of my personal data online, I focus on limiting my social media exposure by being intentional about what I share and how I connect. I never use Facebook or Google to log into other services, as this allows those platforms to track my activity across multiple sites. Instead, I create separate accounts on every service using separate email addresses and passwords, and I manage them with a password manager. For social media profiles, I use as little personal information as I can, just my first name if not a pseudonym, and I never share my location, birthday, or place of work.

For instance, on sites like Twitter, I have an anonymous username and a stock photo image that is not connected to me personally, which reduces the chances of my data being scraped or linked to my real identity. This method allows me to control my digital footprint, even while still engaging online. Research has found that cutting back on single-sign-on usage can reduce data tracking by as much as 60 percent. This simple method preserves my privacy without cutting me off completely.

Allyson DizonAllyson Dizon
Community Marketing Manager, Affordable Urns

Clear Cookies and Site Data Regularly

Regularly clearing cookies and site data from my web browser is one specific strategy I use to minimize the collection of personal data. On a regular basis, I clear out all cookies, cache, and site data in my browser settings, whether it is Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. This wipes out trackers that websites use to track browsing behavior, such as which pages I visit and what ads I click. For instance, I observed that when I cleared cookies, I no longer received hyper-targeted ads related to a one-time search for running shoes. 81% of Americans in a 2023 Pew Research study say they believe data collection by companies is a large concern, so this little habit feels empowering.

To make this easier, I set a calendar reminder to do a data clear biweekly, and I also enter private browsing mode when I’m doing particularly sensitive searches, like my banking or health-related queries. This reduces the number of cookies to try and store in the first place. By staying consistent, I limit how much websites can build a profile on me, giving me more control over my digital footprint.

Imam RafiqImam Rafiq
CEO & President, Halal Watch World

Containerize Online Behavior Across Devices

Having led multiple SaaS companies, I’ve experienced both sides of data collection: its immense value for businesses and its quietly invasive nature for individuals. Consequently, I’ve become very intentional about reducing the digital exhaust I leave behind.

My strategy involves containerizing my online behavior. I separate my activity across different browsers and devices based on purpose. Work has its own environment. Personal browsing happens elsewhere. And anything that might invite tracking, from shopping to testing out AI tools, is isolated entirely.

This approach limits the cross-pollination of cookies, trackers, and behavioral profiles, as these systems thrive on blending data streams. By not providing them with overlapping data, their predictive power is significantly reduced.

Jeff MainsJeff Mains
Founder and CEO, Champion Leadership Group

Use Email Masking for Service Signups

One practical strategy is using email aliases when signing up for new services. Tools like Apple’s “Hide My Email” or services like Firefox Relay let you create unique addresses that forward to your real inbox. That way, if one gets spammed or leaked, it can be disabled without affecting your main email.

It helps keep personal information from being tied together across platforms—and reduces targeted ads and data profiling.

Vipul MehtaVipul Mehta
Co-Founder & CTO, WeblineGlobal

Employ Privacy-Focused Browsers with Blockers

One strategy I personally use to minimize the collection of my personal data online is relying on masked email addresses when signing up for services, especially ones I don’t use often or fully trust. I use a service that generates unique email aliases that forward to my real inbox. That way, if a company starts spamming or shares my information, I can disable that specific alias without affecting my main email.

As a business owner who uses a CRM for managing customer relationships, I understand the value of data, but I also respect the importance of privacy. Using email masking gives me more control over who has my contact information and helps prevent it from being resold or misused. It’s a small habit, but it goes a long way in cutting down on unwanted exposure and keeping my personal inbox secure.

Tom HerronTom Herron
Owner, Herron Hill Storage

Avoid Inputting Personal Data into AI Tools

One strategy I personally use to minimize the collection of my data online is running all my browsing through a privacy-focused browser with tracker blocking—like Brave or Firefox with uBlock Origin. It’s a simple switch, but it cuts down on third-party trackers and hidden scripts that collect data behind the scenes.

I also make it a habit to regularly clear cookies, use private browsing for certain sites, and avoid signing in with Google or Facebook unless absolutely necessary. These small steps help keep more of my data in my hands.

David GrossmanDavid Grossman
Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Lessn

Generate Unique Aliases for Email Forwarding

I never input any personal data into AI tools – AI chatbots, AI search engines, generative AI tools, etc. You cannot be certain of how AI handles the data you give it. It may not be effectively destroyed and discarded. Instead, it could be sold, stored in an unsecure manner, or intercepted by bad actors.

Edward TianEdward Tian
CEO, GPTZero