As we continue to rely on digital tools to store and process our information, whether as an individual dealing with our personal information or as business owners taking care of clients’ confidentiality, data privacy is becoming an important aspect of our life.
In this article, we are going to share with you some tips to protect your data privacy.
Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online
1. Security and permissions settings should be updated and changed.
Because security settings are sometimes set up without our knowledge, it is the user’s responsibility to go in and adjust them. This could include turning off location services, deactivating automatic network connectivity, or modifying which apps have access to your personal data. This way you can protect your privacy online.
It’s also a good idea to check your app’s privacy settings. Before you click “accept,” read the terms and policy. Some apps want access to all of your account information, images, and other data.
Email account settings should also be monitored and updated on regular basis, especially when should you change your email password. Always take security log-in measures because everyone uses email whether for personal or business transactions and it is prone to malware infections.
2. Use VPN
When you connect to a public Internet network, your device and personal information are vulnerable to cybercrime. As the user, you are responsible to protect your data when using the public internet. VPNs use a public Internet connection to establish a private network.
To protect your internet privacy, make sure you have a VPN installed on your device before connecting to the network for safer internet browsing. A VPN will secure your very sensitive data from being seen by others on the same network if you frequently work remotely or in public settings on a daily basis.
3. Don’t overshare on social media
People connect with social media on a daily basis in today’s digital age, so it’s easy to post personal information that you would consider harmless. Check your privacy setting and make sure to turn into private the things that you don’t want to share in public.
Be attentive to your followers that you don’t know and look suspicious. Block them immediately so they will no longer access any information from your social media account.
Take care to keep your professional employment, home address, complete name, and other personal information private. Never include bank or credit card information, or even your address, on a piece of mail, as this information could be readily stolen and used for malicious purposes.
4. Don’t use email in sending private information
If you’re sending confidential data over email, you’re doing it wrong! Hackers have the ability to intercept and steal information and files delivered via email. This is due to the fact that most email companies do not encrypt your data. It’s similar to sending a postcard through the mail, when the postman may read the contents.
You are putting your sensitive data at risk of stealing when you are using your email to send information such as your social security account, bank details, or other personally identifiable information. This could lead to a case of identity theft.
It is recommended to use secure file-sharing tools. You want to keep your information private anytime you want to share it. A secure file sharing solution will encrypt your data and prevent it from being accessed by unauthorized parties.
5. Stay updated on security measures & Data privacy
While trends and security measures evolve year after year, set aside some time to learn about new upgrades, security protocols, software updates, apps, and other topics. The more you know about what you’re using, the more secure you’ll be.
Follow cybersecurity trends on a number of websites, Twitter accounts, and email subscriptions to get a daily dose of news that will keep you informed on the latest and greatest. This includes the most effective antivirus software, new phishing scams, social media frauds, and other internet risks.
6. Use third-party apps to keep your files with lock security
Your mobile or desktop may contain confidential files like documents or photos that you want to keep in private. This may not be possible if there’s someone who can access your device even you have set up a security pin code for your screen. It cannot be avoided in some circumstances that you have to share with them your device.
Keeping your files in a separate vault, like using Photo Vault is a great way to secure your files in a safe and private way. Photo Vault offers a security lock app feature that will keep your files from unauthorized access. You can keep your files by simply moving them from your library to the apps with just a simple click. You can manage and organize your file as it was in its original location.