With every technological step humanity takes into the future, the more our data has manifested into a type of digital DNA. This makes securing your privacy an increasingly high priority.

In the modern age, taking steps to protect yourself from cyberattacks and surveillance has become a form of self-defense. Here are three methods of keeping your guard up as you traverse the virtual jungle.

1. Trade-in Your Traceable Cash for Cryptocurrency

Due to the decentralized and cryptographic nature of the blockchain, cryptocurrency transactions have kicked open the door to a new world of private transactions.

More vendors accept digital currency every day, with some even using it as their preferred form of tender. There are many different forms of cryptocurrency out there, the most prominent of the bunch being Bitcoin and Ethereum. For more information on the best way to store and use your crypto, check out this article from ServerMania on best bitcoin wallets.

One of the most prevalent ways your digital profile is formed is by tracking your purchases. Debit and credit cards are tied to bank accounts, thus permanently associating an online purchase with your identity. Financial institutions then leverage this transactional data for monetary value as they sell the information to organizations seeking to analyze it for hyper-targeted advertising purposes.

If you want to protect yourself from falling prey to this predatory system any longer, now is the time to embrace cryptocurrency.

2. Cover Your Tracks With a VPN

It's no surprise that Virtual Private Networks (VPN) have been rising in recent years. VPNs work by encrypting your connection with the internet and masking your actual location. Through this method, you can better defend yourself from cyber-based attacks and bypass geographic firewalls that structure our digital words.

Due to the demand for such an essential service, an entire industry of VPN providers sprung up to meet the demand. Most VPN services are subscription-based, so you'll want to be sure to do thorough research on which one is right for you before signing up.

VPNs have become such a logical step to digital privacy that some governments are openly advising their use. The government of the United Kingdom has begun instructing its employees and citizens on how to use VPNs when traveling abroad or connecting to sensitive networks.

3. Switch Up Your Browser and Operating System

Many people feel comfortable with their level of privacy after they begin utilizing a VPN, but further steps are necessary for those interested in additional confidentiality. 

Often confused with a VPN, The Onion Router (TOR) is a free, open-source browser that reroutes your online interactions through a decentralized network of six thousand information overlays. Where VPNs strive to provide privacy, TOR seeks to establish true anonymity. And its popularity shows with 4 million users worldwide.

When both are used in conjunction with a portable operation system (POS) like The Amnesic Incognito Live System (TAILS), you are officially operating in an elevated sphere of security. POSs are stored in thumb drives and boot up as if activated for the first time, every time. They store necessary information for every session in RAM rather than on hard drives and block attempts to use non-secure browsers. This three-way combo slides the Chrome browser's incognito mode into the amateur hour, where it belongs.

Your Privacy Depends on Your Tenacity

When exploring the world of digital privacy, it's important to remember that nothing is full-proof in this day and age. As every encryption method is developed, it is only one innovative development away from being circumvented. The success of your cybersecurity journey stems directly from your willingness to remain abreast of the latest developments in the field — so stay sharp!