One of the biggest challenges to getting more people to be proactive about protecting their personal data is the data privacy knowledge gap.

In this episode of Privacy Files, we’re getting back to the basics of how to manage personally identifiable information by talking to Nick, a power user of MySudo, the world’s only all-in-one privacy app.

Nick has been using MySudo for several years. In our discussion, he provides a unique perspective from someone who takes the concept of compartmentalizing one’s digital life to the next level.

On this podcast, we talk a lot about minimizing your digital exhaust. The first step toward accomplishing this goal is to stop using the same email address and phone number for everything you do online.

Many of us fall into the habit of providing an email address when we’re asked while checking out at a store. We are enticed to offer up our phone number to enter a sweepstakes. From loyalty programs to online shopping, our data is everywhere.

But as we like to say, “You can live your life online without leaving your life online.” Nick shares how he does this by creating multiple digital identities that correlate with some of the most common activities he engages in while on the internet or out in public.

We also talk a little about virtual cards and VPNs.

And what is Nick’s advice to those looking to take the first step toward becoming more private? It’s very simple. Over the next couple of weeks, whenever you’re prompted to provide personal data, ask yourself if the inquiring party really needs this information to do business with you. If they don’t. Don’t provide it.

If they do, start breaking the data trail linking back to you by using unique emails and phone numbers for the different categories of activities you engage in. Over time, it will be more difficult for data aggregators and bad actors to build elaborate profiles on you. In other words, you will become more private.