I repaired computers for years at IBM. I know how easy they were to hack years ago. Today's security is much better but you still have stupid people opening emails that say "Hi, want to see something funny...click here" and bang you just infected your computer and your whole company's network. I knew better than to get Alexia or Echo. I never trusted any social media. Do you want to stop seeing ads follow you around ? Delete the "cookies" in your web browser and then use "private mode" in your browser and no more cookies will be stored. The only problem with deleting cookies is that your browser won't remember things like your location. Now you have to tell the Lowes or Home Depot website what store you shop at so you can check inventory. I always use a VPN, especially doing banking or any site that requires payment. Hell, I still use a flip phone.
Some people may call me paranoid...I call it experience.