How to remove yourself from the internet

1. Delete old accounts

There's no simple way to determine which online accounts you own. However, if you're using one of the best password managers, you already have tools to simplify the process. Whether you're using Dashlane, 1Password, or a password manager with built-in products like Apple's iCloud Keychain, you can find a list of websites you've visited and stored a username and password.

From there, visit the site, then log in using the credentials found within the password manager. From there,  use the site's search tool to discover how to delete your account. 

We've gathered step-by-step instructions for deleting accounts for some of the biggest services online, such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft.

If you aren't using a password manager, you'll need to sit down and make a list of possible online accounts you may have that you wish to delete. From there, visit each site and follow the onscreen instructions for deleting your account. 

2. Update the privacy settings for remaining accounts

Once you delete your unnecessary accounts, it's time to beef up the privacy settings on the ones you wish to keep. Most sites offer levels of privacy for accounts; be sure to select the one with the strictest security. 

Depending on the type of account, you should also ensure your public posts are protected and only made accessible to those you want.

For example, Facebook offers advanced privacy settings to help lock down accounts. 

Also, consider adding two-factor authentication to your accounts. With two-factor authentication, you can go beyond passwords when accessing your data on new devices. 

3. Use a better browser

There are a lot of browsers on the market. Moving forward, consider any of the best privacy tools and anonymous browsers. Free and paid, these tools take a few extra steps to block trackers and protect your privacy.

4. Avoid and remove prescreened offers

It's sad but true: there are data brokers worldwide that collect and sell our personal information. However, in the United States, there are two tools you can use to protect your data from these companies better: OptOutPrescreen.com and the National Do Not Call Registry. 

In a few simple steps on OptOutPrescreen.com, you can remove yourself from so-called prescreened offers for credit or insurance. 

The National Do Not Call Registry, which the U.S. Federal Trade Commission runs, gives you a choice about receiving telemarketing calls.

While neither of these solutions is full-proof, they provide steps in the right direction for third parties to find you.

5. Install a VPN and avoid using public Wi-Fi

Using one of the best VPN services, you can encrypt your internet traffic in your home or office. Doing so can make it a little more difficult for hackers to track your online activities. With a VPN, new personal information is less likely to be placed online. Today's VPN services are installable on computers and mobile devices. 

To better protect yourself outside of your home or business location, you can also avoid using public Wi-Fi. Though these connections are convenient, they aren't necessarily secure. At the minimum, avoid using public Wi-FI to access banking information and other identifying information that hackers could grab and place online. 

6. Consider a data removal service

You can also consider using a data removal service to remove yourself from the internet. These companies are experts at finding personal information online, such as your name, address, phone number, email address, and social media profiles. After seeing this information, they can contact websites and request data removal. 

Various data removal services are available, including OneRep, PrivacyBee, and DeleteMe. 

7. Contact Google and other website owners

Google is the largest search engine on the planet. Therefore, it makes sense that most personal information you want to hide is there for everyone to see. Those in Europe are protected by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which gives residents a say in how private organizations handle personal data. One of the critical GPDR rules is the "right to be forgotten." 

In the United States and elsewhere, it's not so easy. Google does allow U.S. residents to request that certain personal information be removed from the internet. However, the type of data you can get removed is limited at best. 

Because Google pulls a lot of information from social networking sites, it's also important to reevaluate and re-check your privacy settings for these services. And before publishing a new post, be sure to check those settings. For example, if you only want your family and friends to view a post, not the public, select those settings before hitting the publish button. 

Another avenue to remove yourself from the internet is to contact the website where the data is hosted that you want to see removed. Will this work? Perhaps, although there are no guarantees. 

8. Be more careful where you go online, go anonymous

The internet's vast footprint and reach are two reasons why it's so popular and essential to everyday life. However, you can do a few other things to protect yourself better and, in turn, make it more likely to remove yourself from the internet.

Generally speaking, you should do a better job and limit your online activity. Doing so means creating fewer online accounts and visiting fewer websites. 

When you visit a new website requiring email information to proceed, use a disposable email address—or pseudonym or nickname. Many of the best secure email systems now include creating email addresses that are easy to throw away when no longer needed. 

For additional peace of mind, consider regularly reviewing and updating your privacy settings for your online accounts. Website owners, especially social networks, are often tweaking these settings, usually in ways that benefit their users.