Which is better Privacy vs Anonymity vs Security

What is different between Security , Anonymity , and privacy ? And when should you prioritize one over another ?

Three of the most important concepts to understand we are: privacy , anonymity , and security. But while most of people synonyms for having a safe digital presence , they don't mean the same thing. And depending on your online needs , you should prioritize one over the other.

While the three often overlap , the only way to determine which one you need the most in a particular scenario is to understand what they actually mean.

Why you need to know the difference.

You probably use technology is your day to day life substantially more than the average person 10 or 15 years ago. With that , comes the need to ensure everything you do online but online is secure. But what about privacy and anonymity ?

Last few years , the words privacy , security , and anonymity become buzzwords that websites , apps , and tech companies in general use in promoting their products and services to gain people's trust.

You need to understand what it means software or an app says that they secure your data or pride themselves on offering complete privacy or anonymity. This allows you to pick the right option for your needs without falling prey to the halo effect of similar words.

What does privacy mean ?

Privacy is the ability to keep certain data and information about yourself exclusive to you and control who and what has access to it.

Think of privacy as owning a smartphone - unencrypted and without a password. Everyone around  knows who the phone belongs to , but they don't know what's on it. If someone goes through your phone without permission , it's an invasion of privacy , even if they don't use it to hurt or blackmail you.

When it comes to online privacy , it's a matter of how much personal information you can keep to yourself when browsing the internet or using software on any of your devices.

Invasion of privacy , in itself , doesn't cause direct harm to you as an individual. But in 1948 , the united Nations declared privacy a human right , making some types of privacy invasion illegal in some countries.

When to prioritize privacy.

Make privacy your priority when using apps or services that have access to your personal information such as full name , email address , phone number , location , etc.

You should optimize your experience for privacy when using social media platforms and apps , messaging and emailing services , and browsers.

What does anonymity mean ?

To be anonymity is to hide or conceal Your identity , but not your actions. You can be anonymous in the physical world by covering your face and fingerprints. In the digital world , you can be anonymous by preventing online entities from collecting or storing data that could be used to identify you.

Anonymity is important for freedom of speech and particularly for whistleblower. That's especially true in areas of the world where having certain viewpoints and opinions could endanger your safety or put your career and future at risk.

Anonymity also often overlaps with privacy , allowing you to browse the internet without worrying about tracking logs. These records your every move and use collected information to build a profile about you or include you in studies and statistics you didn't consert to.

When to prioritize anonymity.

Online anonymity is a case by case need. Generally , you'd want to be anonymous anytime you're doing something you wouldn't want to be traced back to you or your online personas.

It's important when discussing sensitive topics. It's asking for advice on online forums , expression fringe political views , or exposing a public person or commercial entities misconduct.

What does security means ?

Security is a set of precautions and measures for protection against harm to your person and reputation , and files directly or indirectly from malicious code. You can practice online data security by using antivirus software , encrypt important files , and secure account and device by passwords.

Security incident can cause direct harm to their victims. Data breach that compromises passwords and other other critical information , or a virus that damages your files and hardware.

When to prioritize security.

You need security to protect any type of information that others could use against you , such as private photos and critical information and financial information. Security dealing with passwords , antivirus and financial services.

What separates security , anonymity and privacy ?

While privacy , anonymity , and security all different things , it is difficult to separate them online. Sometimes how antivirus software keeps your files secure but doesn't keep private. Using anonymous social media accounts with fake credentials to protect your privacy.

The trick is balanced between three words security , anonymity and privacy. Where you have safe and free online experience without sacrificing convenience. This totally depends on understanding implementation your online actions have on your internet experience and real life.