Data Protection Day: Learn How To Safeguard Your Digital World
Did you know that Sunday, January 28th is Data Protection Day? Data Protection Day is a time to raise awareness of all the different ways your data may be in danger and how you can keep it safe. With so much of our lives being online these days, whether it be work, communication, shopping, social media, or banking, it can be difficult to know if everything you do and share online is protected. To help make this data protection day a success, here are four of the best things you can do to safeguard your digital world—
Use Strong Passwords
Everything from your online streaming services and news outlets to banks and online medical services requires a password to enter. Since so many of these online features can house sensitive information, making sure that you have strong passwords can make a big difference when it comes to safety. When coming up with a password, get creative. Go crazy, add symbols and words only you know. Just make sure it is something you will remember. Some online operating systems even suggest randomly created air-tight passwords that will be saved and only accessed when you alone log in. Keep your passwords strong, and keep them varied. Even if you have a fool-proof password, using this password for all of your accounts and devices can be a huge issue if even one of them is infiltrated. Make sure to change up your passwords for each of your online accounts.
Limit What You Choose to Share
So many websites we visit all the time, like social media sites, online stores, fun quizzes and surveys, and much more collect any personal information we may share, increasing the risk of our information being shared with the wrong people. Any private information you share online can become a threat to your security, so it is always best to be cautious with what you share. Refrain from sharing anything as private as your banking information, social security number, medical records, or even birthday or full name online. Be cautious with sites that ask for your email to enter, and even more careful if you are buying anything online. Keeping the information you share online to a minimum is a great way to protect your data and your identity from potential scammers and hackers.
Set Up Two-Factor Authentication
One of the absolute best ways to keep your online accounts private and secure is to set up a security system called two-factor authentication. This means that in addition to entering a username and a password, your accounts can only be accessed using a second method of verification. This can take many forms, but it most often will include a code sent to your specific phone number or device, a separate app in which you accept or deny logins, or a fingerprint scan or face ID. Having two-factor authentication set up can help ensure that even if your password is compromised, no one can access your account without you saying so. It reinforces your primary wall of defense, keeping all of your private data secure.
Educate Yourself on the Most Common Scams and Threats
Avoiding scams and fraud online can be a difficult task, with scamming technology becoming more and more advanced as the internet becomes more complex. It can be overwhelming when it feels like there’s a new scam every week, but by intentionally educating yourself on the different types of scams and how they are carried out, you will be able to recognize almost any scam or dangerous situation in no time. So many scams and threats to your data use similar wording, urgency, requests for money or private information, and unidentifiable links. Do some research into the most common scams going on today, and once you get familiar with them, you will be better prepared to protect yourself and your data in the digital world.
Keeping your data safe online is crucial to avoiding potentially catastrophic events like identity theft and legal issues on Data Protection Day, and every other day of the year. Next time you go online, take extra precaution when you enter data or share anything by asking yourself the question, am I sure this is safe? If you are looking for more tips on protecting your digital world, 1st Advantage Bank has you covered. Not only do we offer safe and secure online banking options, but we also provide resources to help you recognize and avoid fraud. We believe that the more you know, the safer your data will be. If you want to learn more about how to avoid fraud and keep your information safe this Data Protection Day, check out our resources page here.