In the digital age we live in, data has become the most desired commodity. The greater the volume of data controlled by a person, the greater its power in a connected economy like the one we experience today. For this reason, information leakage is a reality that has become increasingly common around the world as well. Today, in this article, we will discuss the ways to improve digital privacy. Let’s dig in…
Anyone who thinks that the only targets are large corporations is wrong. What we follow in the media is only a small portion: individuals are also targets of scams in which their information is sold, used falsely, or against the victim.
8 Tips to Improve Digital Privacy
With this scenario in view, the protection of personal data is increasingly important. Thinking about the information that people like you, readers of this article, transmit daily on the internet, we list some tips on how to protect them in the virtual environment according to each platform.
Use Different Email
Use different emails for the most important and personal accounts (such as banking, streaming, etc) and the less important ones (such as registrations, email marketing, etc).
In the case of user registration, try to choose data that is not easily linked to you. For example, it’s easy to find out that [email protected] is for Robert born in 1990, and cybercriminals can deduce that this same username is used in other applications, making it easier to gain access to it.
Also, don’t open emails where you don’t know the sender, or click on a link or download attachments if you’re not sure they’re trustworthy. If an official organization sends you an email asking you to download something or share information, it’s best to call them directly to confirm this request, as many don’t send emails as the first step in correspondence.
To find out if the sender is a genuine person or not, you can use Nuwber. This site provides accurate data so that you can easily find and verify unknown persons.
Use Virtual Cards For E-Commerce
Even in your favorite online store, the practice of saving card data is far from secure. Even the most trusted stores can fail and improperly expose customer information and saved passwords can be easily accessed by hackers.
If you’re going to use the card for online purchases, make sure your financial institution offers extra security steps or prefers the virtual card. Several institutions already offer this modality for online purchases, as it has a different number and verification code than the physical card, in addition to being able to block or delete it with each use.
On Social Networks
Social networks can attract not only stalkers but also malicious people looking to get access to all kinds of information, from location, age, place of work, to vacation time.
All this makes the user more susceptible to theft, so it is important to pay extra attention to the content posted and make privacy adjustments: make sure that the profile is followed only by trusted people, block unknown users, disable automatic tagging and disable your location.
Use Strong Passwords
Do not repeat the same password on different sites. By adopting the same code, the user opens up loopholes for credential stuffing scams, which occur when criminals steal a website’s credentials and use them to violate other services of interest.
In addition to using unique passwords, it is important to make long combinations, longer than 9 or 10 characters, and that mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols.
Today there are online password checkers on the market that assess the security level of the chosen password, from weak to super-strong, and also, online password generators for those who are having more difficulty choosing.
Use Cloud Storage
Keeping your data in the cloud is one of the most secure options today. Cloud storage services are safer than keeping everything on devices that can be stolen or lost. In the cloud, in case of loss or theft, just change the password.
Dispose Of Used Gadgets
We are experiencing a great consumption phase. Therefore, when getting rid of cell phones, old laptops and even flash drives, the devices must be disposed of correctly, as they also store important information.
It is not enough just to digitally erase the information; it is necessary to destroy the device itself and dispose of it properly. Any remnants of previous data on the poorly discarded device can easily be rescued by a cybercriminal and cause great damage.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) is also one of the effective methods to maintain online privacy in the age of the internet. This means you will need to confirm logins to your account via a second device or an extra security question.
It will take you another thirty seconds to access your Facebook account if you need to enter a PIN code received via text message. 2FA can prevent a staggering 99.9% of cyber-attacks. Automated bots and hackers in remote locations are out of reach for your data.
Configure Account and Credit Monitoring
Finally, set up an account and credit monitoring system. You can do this manually on a regular schedule or subscribe to cybersecurity services such as Identity Theft Protection. In either case, check to see if any of your accounts have been implicated in known data breaches. And keep an eye on your credit score. That way, you will be able to know if any of your personal or financial information has been compromised.
Wrapping Up: Improve Digital Privacy
Cybercrime is a prevalent problem in 2024. Since the pandemic, hackers have stepped up their efforts to control your data and make a profit. Last year alone, they caused over $400 billion in economic damage.
Everyone is a target. It doesn’t matter if you are running a business or if you are an individual – your data is on the radar of countless hackers.
Data protection is not just about worrying about your passwords, but about a wide universe of concepts that imply the imperative of the moment.
So, taking steps to protect your data from cybercriminals is essential. By following the steps above, you will be able to improve digital privacy i.e. hinder hackers and ensure your digital security.
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