Protecting Your Data Online

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As we use digital technology more, keeping our personal info safe is as important as ever. This includes everything from passwords to bank details. Ensuring data privacy helps keep your info safe from online threats. Shockingly, many small businesses, about 68%, lack plans to recover from disasters. This puts them at risk of losing a lot of money¹. So, we’re sharing 101 tips to protect your family online.

Losing data can cost a business big time, up to $300,000 for every hour of downtime. This is why having a solid plan to keep your data safe is crucial¹. To protect your online world, it’s important to take active steps such as choosing strong passwords and using extra security like multi-factor verification². These actions not only keep your accounts safe but also protect your family online.

Key Takeaways

• 68% of small businesses don’t have a disaster recovery plan¹.
• Without recovery plans, businesses could lose up to $300,000 an hour¹.
• We have 101 tips for safeguarding your online presence¹.
• Using strong passwords and extra security boosts your online safety².
• Following essential data privacy measures helps stop data leaks and hacks.

Securing Your Devices and Networks

In today’s digital age, keeping your devices and networks safe online is vital. You need to take several steps to stay protected. These include keeping your software updated, using a firewall, and encrypting your data. Let’s explore these steps in detail.

Keep Your Software Updated

It’s important to update all your software regularly. This includes your security tools, internet browsers, and operating systems². Regular updates help protect your devices from new threats. They make sure your technology can defend itself against attacks.

Use a Firewall

A firewall acts like a barrier against harmful software. It stops these threats from entering your device or network. Firewalls are key to keeping your digital devices safe while on the go or using different networks³.

Encrypt Your Data

When you encrypt your data, you make it impossible for others to read without permission. Modern tools like FileVault and GPG for Mail make it easy for anyone to use encryption³. Using encryption is a strong way to keep your information safe, whether it’s at home or moving about⁴.

For added security, back up your encrypted data regularly. Use external hard drives or popular cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox². This way, you not only secure your data but also have a plan if security is breached.

Data Protection Tips for Mobile Devices

Making your mobile safe goes beyond just a good password. You should use many steps to keep your data hidden. Follow these top tips to guard your secrets well.

Configure App Privacy Settings

Watching over your app privacy is key. Be careful with what apps can do and only let them do what you really need. It’s quite surprising that 84% of mobiles have personal info.⁵ But, if you set things carefully, you won’t share too much.

Enable Remote Location and Device-Wiping

If your phone is lost, having a plan helps. Remote-wiping and finding where your phone is good for stopping bad guys. Indiana University wants to know if your device is gone at it-incident@iu.edu⁶. And setting your phone to wipe itself can keep it safe. These steps give you peace about your data if your phone goes missing.

Check Privacy Settings on Setup

First-time phone setup is vital. Setting good privacy at the start makes a big difference for safety. Encrypting your phone means it’s harder for thieves to get your info⁷. Starting strong keeps your phone safe and easy to manage. This is key for handling your phone and data well from the start.

Protecting Data While Working Remotely

Working from home is more and more common. Because of this, it’s crucial to keep data safe when you’re not at the office.

Following the NIST guidelines can help keep threats at bay⁸. Using a VPN makes connections more secure⁸. It also helps to only give access to important data. And, don’t forget to lock up files and folders with encryption, stop others from getting in, as GDPR Article 32 says⁸.

IBM found that data breaches are costing more, reaching $4.45 million globally in 2023⁹. Forbes mentions 73% of bosses see remote work as risky⁹. Such breaches often happen due to simple mistakes⁸. This is why it’s smart to regularly teach your staff about staying safe online⁸.

Recital 83 stresses the need to protect personal info at all times⁸. Encrypting your devices and files keeps data safe⁸. If a data breach happens because of remote work, it could be much costlier⁹. So, only share essential data with your team to lessen the risk⁸.

Using public WiFi without a VPN is a big no-no because of its dangers⁸. Adhering to these tips keeps data protection first and foremost, even with more remote work than ever.

Protecting Your Identity Online

Keeping your identity safe online is super important today. It’s key to have strong passwords, use two-factor authentication, and watch out for phishing. These steps can lower the chance of someone stealing your identity.

Use Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are your first line of defense online. Make your passwords at least 12 characters long with a mix of numbers, special characters, and letters²¹⁰. Don’t include easy-to-guess info like your birthday or common sayings. By using strong passwords for all your accounts, you create a strong barrier against attackers.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) gives you extra security. It requires more than just your password, like a code sent to your phone². This way, if a hacker gets your password, they still can’t access your accounts. Using multi-factor authentication makes it much harder for someone to hack into your accounts, making you more secure¹¹.

Beware of Phishing Scams

Protecting yourself from phishing is vital. Phishing scams trick people into giving away personal info by posing as trustworthy sources. Always check suspicious links by hovering over them to see the URL first¹⁰. Beware of any emails or messages that seem off and request your info. Never share verification codes from messages you didn’t start¹¹.

Protecting Your Credit Information

In today’s digital world, safeguarding your credit info is a must. You should regularly check your credit reports and set up fraud alerts. Doing this reduces the danger of credit fraud and identity theft.

Monitor Credit Reports Regularly

Keeping an eye on your credit history is crucial. AnnualCreditReport.com provides free weekly reports from Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax¹². These reports show if there are any new accounts, unusual credit checks, or incorrect balances¹³. They also alert you to any changes in your credit history, such as new accounts or debts in collections¹². Monitor your transactions for any unusual activity to catch fraud quickly¹³.

Enable Fraud Alerts

Fraud alerts can help stop new credit from being issued without your confirmation. You can add a fraud alert to your reports for extra security¹². This service is free from the credit reporting agencies¹². A credit freeze goes even further, blocking attempts to use your info for new accounts without your permission¹³. Freezing your credit bureaus’ reports can be done online, by phone, or mail for free¹³. These steps are key to protecting your credit.

Data Privacy

Today, knowing about data privacy is key to keep your personal info safe online. When you post on social media or keep financial records, you must protect your data. This means making sure how your info is used and shared is safe and respectful¹⁴¹⁵. Laws about this differ from country to country. Take the European Union, for example. There, privacy is seen as a major right. They have laws like the GDPR. If companies there break these rules, they face big fines¹⁶

Tools like data loss prevention, encryption, and firewalls are essential for data safety¹⁵. They not only stop data from being leaked but also keep your online world private. Today, many countries have laws to protect data. This shows everyone agrees how crucial it is to keep our personal info safe¹⁴. Companies are also stepping up. They must do more than just follow the law to really protect data and earn customer trust¹⁴¹⁶. Keeping your data safe is about more than just following rules. It’s about making a secure, respectful place online.

Protecting Your Data on Social Media

In today’s digital world, it’s key to keep your social media safe. Adjusting your privacy settings, sharing less personal information, and being careful with third-party apps work wonders. They help keep your details away from unwanted eyes.

Review Privacy Settings

First, look at your privacy settings closely. When you sign up, social media sites often ask for your name, birthdate, and email¹⁷. It’s crucial to manage who can view, like, or comment on your posts for better safety¹⁷. Surprisingly, only one in five people frequently checks their privacy settings¹⁸. These settings help protect your data. Updating them regularly is smart and boosts your security.

Limit Sharing of Personal Information

Also, be mindful of what you share. Many share where they’re from, their schools, and work places on social media¹⁷. But, sharing less in the “About” section makes you less of a target for theft or cyberattacks¹⁹. Be careful about showing your vacation plans as it could attract thieves¹⁹. It’s good to keep things like your address private to stay safe from online dangers¹⁷.

Be Wary of Third-Party Apps

Free social media platforms can share your data with others for ads¹⁷. Choose apps wisely and be picky about what they can access. It’s a good idea to sign out of unknown devices and apps sometimes¹⁹. Deleting accounts you no longer use also lowers your risk online¹⁹.

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for Security

Today, it’s more important than ever to keep your online identity safe. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is key. It hides your IP address. This keeps your online activities private and safe.

Every day, there are over 2,200 cyberattacks. That’s one every 39 seconds. It shows the serious risks we face online²⁰. But, with a top-notch VPN, your online steps are encrypted. This protects you from anyone trying to listen in, including your internet provider²⁰.

Picking a trustworthy VPN service is vital. Watch out, because 72% of free VPNs were found to track you. This could harm your online privacy²¹. Also, 38% of Android VPN apps have malware, which is dangerous²¹.

VPNs turn your web traffic into unreadable code, meaning it secures information sent and received. However, it’s key to choose a VPN that doesn’t keep any logs. That way, no one can collect your personal data²⁰. By doing this, your surfing info is safe and away from prying eyes²¹.

If you pick a reliable VPN, you can browse smoothly and safely. A good VPN doesn’t slow down your internet. It keeps your information secure. Choosing the right VPN allows you to go about your internet business without fear of losing privacy.

Securing Your Wireless Network

It’s important to make your wireless network more secure. This keeps your data and devices safe from people who shouldn’t have access. By using strong security methods, you ensure your network is safe and your data is protected.

Set Strong Passwords for Routers

First, set strong and unique passwords for your routers. This is a basic but important step in improving your network’s security²². Always change default passwords because they are often easy to find online. Using complex passwords, including letters, numbers, and characters, is key. It makes it much harder for hackers to break in. Also, when setting up your home Wi-Fi, choose WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal encryption for extra security²³.

Hide Your Network

Another good move is hiding your network’s name, also called SSID broadcast. This simple step makes it harder for attackers to spot your network, adding more protection²². Keep your router’s software up to date. This helps fend off cyber threats and keeps your network more secure²². Using antivirus and turning on the router’s firewall also keeps your system safe from harmful viruses and malware²².

Encrypting Data on USB Drives and SIM Cards

Keeping our digital info safe is a big deal these days. Encrypting data on USB drives and SIM cards is key. It makes sure our private stuff stays private if we lose these gadgets.

Using Encryption Software

Think about the panic if you lost a USB full of your important stuff. By encrypting our data, we keep it away from bad actors even if the devices get lost or stolen¹. Tools like VeraCrypt and BitLocker keep our data safe.

Physical Security of Devices

But, just using software isn’t enough. We’ve got to look after the physical security of our gadgets too. Simple things, like keeping them safe and not leaving them around, are important. Also, wiping old computer drives clean keeps our data safe when we get rid of them¹.

When we pair data encryption with good physical security, our stuff is well-protected. This two-step method keeps our info safe from online and offline dangers.

Backing Up Your Data

Your important files need strong protection. That’s why backing up your data is so important. We will explore how to keep your information safe with cloud storage and external drives.

Cloud Storage Solutions

Cloud storage services, such as Google Drive and Dropbox, keep your files safe with encryption. This stops people from seeing your data without permission²⁴. They also make it quick and easy to get your files back. This means you can start working again fast when something goes wrong. Plus, you can access your files from anywhere with an internet connection²⁴.

Online backups also use extra security measures. They do regular backups. So, if your computer breaks or someone steals it, your data is safe²⁴. Using these services means you can get to your files on any device. It makes things very convenient.

Using External Hard Drives

External hard drives are another good way to back up your files. You can pick from two types, HDD or SSD. HDDs are cheaper but SSDs are faster and easier to carry²⁴. Both protect you from different problems like your computer dying or getting a virus.

Having a copy of your data on an external drive follows the 3-2-1 rule. You should keep three copies of everything. Two on different devices and one somewhere else²⁴. This keeps your data really safe and you can always get to it when you need.

It’s also crucial to keep your backup plan updated. You should know which data is the most important and make sure you’re using the best ways to back it up. Keep testing and updating your backups to make sure everything is safe²⁴.

Deleting Old Files Securely

In today’s digital age, keeping your information safe is crucial. Just deleting files by emptying the Recycle Bin doesn’t make them gone. Your information can still be found by someone determined²⁵. To make sure your data is really gone, use methods that delete it securely.

Overwriting Data

Overwriting data is a good way to erase files. It means writing new info over the old stuff more than once. By doing this right, you follow serious rules like those from the U.S. DOD²⁶. They make sure your files’ traces are removed completely.

This kind of erasing is key to follow laws like PCI DSS Requirement 3.1 for data safety²⁵. SecureShredder does this job well, being able to clear huge amounts of disk space²⁶. It’s useful for both personal and work use.

Using Secure Deletion Tools

Tools like SecureShredder help get rid of files properly. They have simple and advanced options for different needs²⁶. Programs like CCleaner or Eraser also boost security when deleting. But, they might take longer than usual trash emptying²⁵. Remember, back-ups are always smart. They protect you from losing data in bad situations.

Protecting your digital stuff well keeps your important info away from hackers. Even after you think you’ve thrown it away, there might still be risks²⁶.

Source Links

1. https://www.digitalguardian.com/blog/101-data-protection-tips-how-keep-your-passwords-financial-personal-information-online-safe
2. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/protect-your-personal-information-and-data
3. https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/protecting-portable-devices-data-security
4. https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/Data-security-guide-Everything-you-need-to-know
5. https://www.priv.gc.ca/mobile-devices
6. https://kb.iu.edu/d/bcnh
7. https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/secure-mobile-device-six-steps
8. https://gdpr.eu/working-remotely-data-security/
9. https://www.riministreet.com/blog/data-privacy-best-practices-for-remote-work/
10. https://staysafeonline.org/resources/7-tips-to-manage-your-identity/
11. https://consumer.ftc.gov/identity-theft-and-online-security
12. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-can-i-protect-my-identity-and-credit/
13. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-protect-yourself-after-data-breach
14. https://www.snia.org/education/what-is-data-privacy
15. https://cloudian.com/guides/data-protection/data-protection-and-privacy-7-ways-to-protect-user-data/
16. https://www.ibm.com/topics/data-privacy
17. https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/protecting-privacy-social-media
18. https://www.morganstanley.com/articles/data-privacy
19. https://www.aura.com/learn/how-to-protect-your-personal-information-on-social-media
20. https://informationsecurity.wustl.edu/the-power-of-virtual-private-networks-vpn-in-privacy-protection/
21. https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/are-vpns-safe
22. https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/securing-wireless-networks
23. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-secure-your-home-wi-fi-network
24. https://www.upguard.com/blog/how-to-back-up-your-data
25. https://www.securitymetrics.com/blog/how-permanently-delete-files-sensitive-data
26. https://www.securedata.com/blog/permanently-delete-files-securely-with-secureshredder