how to prevent data


7 Easy Steps to Take to Protect Your Data


1. Apply Software Updates

Software companies often release updates that patch bugs and vulnerabilities when they are discovered. So, don’t put off software updates, especially on operating systems. Software left outdated may still contain security flaws that can leave you susceptible to a data or privacy breach.

2. Protect Passwords

Creating strong passwords and never using the same password across sites or devices is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from digital invasion. On your phone, lock it with a strong password and fingerprint or Touch ID. To keep track of all of your password combinations, use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass to keep your passwords stored, strong and unique across all of your devices and accounts.

When you use a password manager, you don’t have to worry about making your passwords memorable. So be random, sprinkle in numbers and punctuation marks, and be anything but predictable.

3. Disable Lock-Screen Notifications

Turning off lock-screen app notifications on your smartphone is a simple way to hide personal information that can pop up on your phone’s lock screen. Disable app notifications to keep text messages and social media notifications away from prying eyes.

To disable app notifications on iOS, go to Settings > Notifications and select an app to turn off the setting. Or turn off previews for all apps by selecting Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and choosing “When Unlocked” or “Never.” On Android, go to Settings > Lock screen and security > Notifications.

Set text previews so you only see the name of the person texting you or disable previews all together on your lock-screen. On iOS, go to Settings > Notifications > Messages > Alerts. On Android, go to Messaging > Settings > Preview Messages.

screen notifications cybersecurity

4. Lock Your Apps

Once you’ve set a lock on your phone, go a step further and lock your actual apps. App lockers provide an extra level of security for your apps and work just like the lock-screen feature. If someone else uses your phone or if your device is stolen, the contents of your apps remain locked behind a passcode.

At work, app lockers can help control which apps and files users can run. They also promote software licensing conformance across the organization and better ability for application inventory.

5. Keep Your Browsing to Yourself

If you use free WiFi hotspots in public places, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to obscure your personal information from others who may be using the same unsecured public network. Just make sure the VPN service is legitimate and one you trust to maintain your privacy. In addition to shielding your browsing information, the VPN will encrypt all of the data coming to or leaving your computer or phone, and hide your location.

6. Encrypt Your Data

Encryption is designed to scramble your data so no one can understand what it says without a key. It’s not only useful for protecting information on your computer, but also for making sure text messages and emails on your phone aren’t subject to prying eyes.

There are free apps available for iPhone and Android that are easy to use, including Signal and WhatsApp. On your computer, productivity applications such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat allow you to set passwords on individual documents and specify the type of encryption to be used. Encrypting File System (EFS) and disk encryption products allow you to encrypt files, folders, removable USB drives, flash drives, and more.

Wifi Hotspot cybersecurity

7. Back It Up

If something should happen to the data you create on your devices or network, or you lose it all, you can recover quickly without hassle if it’s backed up. Backups help protect your photos, documents, and other data not only from a technical malfunction but from ransomware and other malicious hacking. Back up to an online service, external hard drive, or both, for the best data protection.

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