Privacy, Cybersecurity and Anonymity - Difference Explained
Privacy, cybersecurity and anonymity are all different concepts that are often used interchangeably. Understanding the difference between these three is crucial to understanding how they work together to protect your identity online.
What is Privacy?
The right to privacy is a fundamental human right protected by the constitutions of most democratic countries in the world. It is sometimes called "privacy" and sometimes "personal autonomy", and encompasses one's physical, psychological, and intellectual integrity. It is connected to freedom of thought, religion, opinion, expression and movement. Privacy invokes many philosophical debates. Privacy is also a highly contested concept, as people have different ideas about what it means for an individual to be isolated from others. The assumption that privacy exists does not always reflect the reality of what people do with their own private information. They may share personal information in ways that are not intended to be kept private.
What is Cybersecurity?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines cybersecurity as "the practice or practice of protecting computers, computer systems, networks, or information from cyber threats through system hardening, use of appropriate technical controls, and avoiding default configurations." The term can also be used synonymously with information security. Cybersecurity can be defined as the protection of computers and networks from cyberattacks, which includes both security online and internet security. Cybersecurity has become an important issue for businesses, organizations, and governments recently as it has been estimated that about 40% of all data breaches are caused by cybersecurity incidents.
What is Anonymity on the Internet?
Anonymity on the internet is a state of being unknown or unidentified on the internet. It is a state that allows people to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings without fear of being tracked or identified. Anonymity online is often associated with the idea of "freedom of speech" - the ability to say what you want without fear of retribution.
Anonymity on the internet is a state of being unknown or unidentified on the internet. It is a state that allows people to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings without fear of being tracked or identified. It is often associated with the idea of "freedom of speech - the ability to say what you want without fear of retribution.".
What is a VPN, and how does it protect my privacy?
The most common types of privacy tools are VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). They allow you to encrypt your internet connection so that your data is protected from prying eyes. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that creates a safe and encrypted connection over the Internet between two points, usually an office and a home or other private location. A VPN secures your data by protecting it from being accessed by others over public networks, such as Wi-Fi hotspots in restaurants, bars, airports etc. Visit our VPN section on PrivacyTools.io.