Data Protection on exitcode

How Does HTTPS Work?

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

How does HTTPS work, and why is the padlock icon important? Link to heading

The small padlock icon in your browser’s address bar isn’t just for decoration. Behind it lies an encryption system that protects your data during transmission. However, you need to know what the icon does and doesn’t mean.

HTTP vs. HTTPS - what’s the difference? Link to heading

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the web’s basic protocol. This is how your browser communicates with the server when you open a page. Every request and response travels across the network as plain text, without encryption. This means that if someone is monitoring the network, for example, on a public Wi-Fi network, they can see exactly what you sent and what you received. Passwords, forms, everything.

What is a VPN actually good for?

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

VPN - What is it actually good for? Link to heading

According to VPN providers’ ads, a VPN solves everything: it protects you from hackers, makes you anonymous online, and keeps all your data secure. The reality is more nuanced. A VPN is a useful tool, but only if you know what it’s actually for.

What is a VPN? Link to heading

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server. Traffic passes through this tunnel and exits onto the public internet via the VPN server’s IP address, so the website you visit won’t see your private IP address.

Public Wi-Fi for sensitive matters?

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Why shouldn’t you use public Wi-Fi for sensitive matters? Link to heading

Wi-Fi at cafes, airports, or hotels is convenient, but everyone shares the same public network. This isn’t a problem in and of itself, but under certain circumstances, it poses a serious risk.

What’s the difference between a home network and a public network? Link to heading

On your home router, you’re usually the only administrator. You know who’s connecting to the network, and traffic passes through a trusted device.

What do websites know about you?

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What do websites know about you? — Cookies, trackers, fingerprinting Link to heading

Every time you visit a website, data changes hands - most of the time without you even realizing it. It’s not just about what you search for, modern tracking techniques go much deeper than that.

Cookies — the most well-known tool Link to heading

A cookie is a small text file that the website you’re visiting stores in your browser. Its original purpose is useful: it remembers whether you’re logged in, what’s in your cart, and which language you’ve selected, so you don’t have to re-enter this information every time.