Privacy vs. security: What’s the difference? (2024)

When it comes to maintaining your cybersafety and protecting your sensitive information, it’s a good idea to have bothprivacy andsecurity. Butwhat’s the difference?

Privacyand security are closely related. Privacy is any right you have to control anddetermine which of your personal information need to be left alone and whichcan be used or exposed. For instance, when you visit a new site ordownloadan application on yoursmartphone,you’ll be asked to read and agree to their privacy policies.

On the other hand, security refers tohow your personal information is protected and the measure used forsafeguarding your data. Security is absolutely vital for protecting yourprivacy. One of these two may be affected due to vulnerabilities in the other.For example, if your personal data is leaked, then your security is highlyaffected. Similarly, weak security measures can lead to the exploitation ofyour privacy.

Some people regard privacy andsecurity as pretty much the same thing. This is because often, these twoaspects overlap in a connected world, but they aren’t the same, and knowing howthey differ may help you to protect yourself in an increasingly online worldthat's getting vast every day.

What’s the difference between privacyand security?

Here’s an example. You may need to sharesome of your sensitive information with your bank when opening a bank account.What happens after that? Here are three possible outcomes regarding yourpersonal data (not to the money you may have deposited in the account).

1. Your privacy and security aremaintained. First, the bank uses your information to open your account. Then, they provide you with products andservices and go on to protect your data.
2. Your privacy is compromised,and your security is maintained. In this scenario, the banksells some of your information to a marketer, a third party. Note: You mayhave agreed to this in the bank’s privacy disclosure unknowingly. Theresult? Your personal information may be going into the wrong hands.
3. Both your privacy and securityare compromised. Let’s say the bank gets hit by adatabreach. In that case, cybercriminals can penetrate a bank database, breachsecurity. Your information is exposed and could be sold on the dark web orused for other illicit purposes. You could potentially become the victimof cyber fraud and identity theft, ultimately hampering your privacy.

It would be great if your risks beganand ended within that hypothetical scenario. But your personal information islikely all over online, government offices, healthcare providers, stores andrestaurants, and in many of your online accounts. You might say it’s everywhere,not literally, but it’s undoubtedly in enough places that it’s out of yourcontrol.

If a cybercriminal gets access to thatinformation, both your privacy and security are at greater risk.

What’s the difference between privacyand security in the online world?

In the online world, privacy is theprivate information you store on your devices and which you have enlisted inyour social or financial accounts on the internet. Security is the safetymeasures you have applied to those devices and your online sessions in order toprotect your data.

To maintain both privacy and security, cybersecurityproducts can be of great help.

For instance, consider a VPN or avirtual private network.It’s a security product that acts as a tunnel for your information and youractivity on the internet to travel through anonymously and safe from the pryingeyes.¹This tool encrypts all thedata that you exchange on your device. It’s like an online version of sittingwith your back to a wall when you don’t want someone else to see what you aretexting on your phone in a public place.

Here’s how a VPN helps you win two ways:

• Privacy: It helps to blockwebsites, internet browsers, cable companies, and internet serviceproviders from tracking your personal information and browser history.
• Security: It helps secure yourcommunicative exchange and protect you from other people accessing your sensitivedata.

Tips for protecting your privacy andsecurity

It’s wise to rely on companies andorganizations that value your privacy and take steps to protect your personalinformation. But you can also follow some simple measures to help protect andboost your own privacy and security.

Here are some examples:

• Limit what you share on socialmedia and online in general.
  Destroy critical physical ordigital documents before tossing them in the trash.
• Guard your Aadhaar Card Number.Keep it in a secure place, and don’t give it out if possible. Instead, askif you can provide another form of identification.
• Safeguardyour data and devices, which includes installing security software, a secure router, a VPN onpublicWi-Fi, and identity theft protection services.
• Understand how the informationyou’re giving away could be used. Be more cautious of how your data, onceshared online, is no longer in your control. Read an organization’sprivacy policy before signing up for an app or service.

Remember, it’s not necessarily a case ofprivacy vs. security. Both are important in our connected world, especiallythese days when all the cybercriminals are stuck in their homes, left with moretime to hijack your info. You can and should have both.

The newNortonPrivacy Managerapp helps you control your online privacy moresecurely with several features:

• An in-app VPN encrypts theinformation you send and receive in the app, includingemailsand text messages.
• An anonymous search engine withprivate browsing helps protect your information by keeping your searchhistory confidential.
• Virtual profiles help safeguardyour personal information when shopping, socializing or browsing online.
• Apassword managerhelps keep your onlinepasswordssecureand conveniently available.
• Ad blockers and trackerblockers help prevent companies from following your digital footprintacross the web.

¹https://in.norton.com/internetsecurity-privacy-secure-browsing-with-a-vpn-for-desktop-computers.html

Norton empowers people and families around the world to feel safer in their digital lives

Editorial note:Our articles provide educational information for you. Our offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat we write about. Our goal is to increase awareness about Cyber Safety. Please review complete Terms during enrollment or setup. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime, and that LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses. The Norton and LifeLock brands are part of Gen Digital Inc.