Data is the new oil and there is no denying that. With that being said, it is extremely crucial to safeguard the digital footprint in the vast ocean of the internet. If you deal with the internet in any way or form, there will always be bread crumbs left behind.
It is beyond imagination, the kind of details once can make out with just that. While most people have nothing to worry about, provided they are using the official sites. It is certainly worth it, to be mindful of the activities.
In this blog, let’s go over the ways you can ensure a safe trail of your activities on the web so that you can find the answer to – How to Protect Your Personal Data Online?
Basics
If there is enough data available about an individual’s digital footprint. Skilled people can always extract behavioural analytics from it. Simply put, they know a lot about your preferences, the economy slab you come under and even the location. As these inputs are valuable, in the wrong hands, it can bring havoc.
While it is impossible to hide all of your online activities, most harmful things can be potentially buried in an effective way. Remember, sharing data is not the problem as it is needed to communicate.
However, one should ensure it is never feeding the people with the wrong intentions.
Below, we have listed out few things you need to know when it comes to
Unique Passwords
The first step you can take towards securing your account online is using a strong password. Pet’s name or your favorite dish are not exactly an ideal fit. Scammers often use social engineering to figure it out.
Sadly, in this era, anyone can get around it relatively easily. Of course, there will be exceptions, but the goal is to eliminate them. Easiest way to get around it is to use a long alpha-numerical password containing at least 15 characters.
This one step alone would act as a strong deterrent. The more obstacles you create, the better your data is going to be.
Public Wifi
Everyone loves wifi and it is easily available wherever you go. From malls to restaurants, almost every establishment offers it. While internet access is necessary and a norm of life, do not be inclined towards taking it for granted.
To be on the safer side, use VPN and never do bank transactions on a wifi that is not set up by a trusted entity. Also, review your settings and ensure data sharing or any other potential loose ends are addressed.
VPN doesn’t exactly mitigate the risks but it for sure makes it hard and most scammers with novice skills won’t be able to bypass it.
Updated Software
The reason companies offer regular updates is to fix the vulnerabilities discovered. Unfortunately, no mobile, laptop or gadget is completely safe from attacks. So, it is crucial for our own safety to ensure it is on the latest software version and all of the precautions are taken.
Note that it is important to ensure both the software and the device are updated from time to time. For any reason, if something is not looking right or the device is acting unusual, take it to the service center at the earliest.
Though, it is a bit annoying to keep track of these little things, it for sure will pay off.
Social Media
With billions of users, social media platforms provide scammers access to a massive pool of potential victims, making them an irresistible target. By itself, most social media platforms do not bring harm.
Nonetheless, you need to be aware of the privacy settings and turn off the trouble inviting ones. Make sure the location data is never turned on.
Limit sharing personal stuff on these portals and never accept friend requests from someone who you don’t know on a personal level. By doing these steps, you can have a much better experience on the platform while ensuring your safety.
Phishing Scams
Almost on a daily basis, we can read about the losses incurred by the phishing scams. Scammers and hackers create clone websites of popular platforms all the time. Few of them are very good copies and anyone who is not checking the URLs carefully can fall for them.
To mitigate this threat altogether, the user just have to be aware of the platforms they are using. So, always check the online sources to ensure you are on the correct website.
Use different passwords for different sites. More importantly, ensure that you are always on an encrypted network(HTTPS protocols or VPN’s).
Data Back Ups
In the world of the internet, you can never really be too safe. As the threats are ever-present. It is advisable to back up all your data from time to time. Ideally, the timeframe should be a week.
By ensuring regular backups, even if a malware hits your device or the site you were relying on, it won’t wipe out all of your precious data. Apple and Google offer affordable plans, and they are a convenient way to navigate around this issue.
If you don’t want the cloud option, the good old, hardware solution also works fine.
Conclusion
As we said earlier, data is a precious commodity and it has to be dealt with caution. Sharing files is important, but securing them should get the utmost attention.
Also, feel free to read about the latest news in this sector as it can enlighten us about the new trends and help avoid it. Creating awareness is our goal and we believe it will be valuable in combating this cancer.
If you have any comments to address the question “How to Protect Your Personal Data Online“, feel free to add it below.