In today’s climate where connecting to someone online is as easy as flicking a light switch, it’s more important than ever to take control of how your private data is attainable online. However, taking control of the privacy of your data isn’t just changing a few options in the settings of your favorite mobile app and calling it a day. It’s about protection through behavior changes that must begin now.
It’s January 28th and another Data Privacy Day is upon us, the day where the concept and culture of keeping your personal data protected online is recognized and celebrated across the world. Previously we have shown you how to own your app permissions, and properly sharing your personal data, and we want to round up our Data Privacy Day celebration with a simple list of 8 of the most important data privacy practices you should adopt in your work place and in your own home.
Feel free and share this with your family and co-workers as they could all benefit from a refresher in securing your data online.
- Carefully read the Terms & Conditions before creating an account. No one likes to read the T’s & C’s. They’re boring, it’s a lot of legal-ese, and you just want to jump in to share photos with your friends online. However, it’s very important to find out just exactly what that mobile app may be accessing better to be over-attentive than under-attentive.
- Always check your privacy settings. You know the prompt that shows up when you download a new app? That only shows a small section of what type of personal data a mobile app could read and retrieve from your device. Always check your privacy settings for every app to see what you may have given permission to that you may not be aware of. We have an quick list of instructions on how to access your privacy settings for Windows, MacOS, and several popular applications in this how-to blog.
- Use strong, complex passwords for all sign- We understand that maintaining passwords across multiple sign-ons is a hassle, but cyber security is never convenient. No matter what the site or app, use a complex password that only you can remember. If you need tips on how to create a complex password, check out our password blog here.
- ALWAYS use Multi-Factor Authentication. If the site or app has the ability to use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA, or 2FA – two-factor authentication – in some cases), always use it. The requirements will typically be to use either an authenticator app (such as Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator) or through a text message to your phone a unique code for you to enter to verify that it is you signing in. We have more detailed information about Multi-Factor Authentication in our blog here.
- Lurking is encouraged. It can be tricky to “read the room” when in terms of what to share online. Always keep in mind that you are never truly who is seeing what you share online, but a good rule of thumb is that if it is something even remotely private, don’t share it.
- Trust, But Verify. You may be alert for double checking links in an email, but what about links in a tweet or a Facebook message? Always hover over links to verify where they will take you to see if it is a legitimate link. If you’re on a mobile device, chances are you can hold down the link with your finger to get a glimpse of where the link takes you and if it is suspect, you can move your finger away from the link to cancel.
- Stay updated. Along with staying alert for suspicious activity, you need to keep your devices up to date. This is not just for the operating system. You must also update your apps as well and outdated apps can be exploited by bad actors. You can follow all the best practices for protecting your data perfectly yet be compromised by a security flaw that a hacker can take full advantage of. You can also set your mobile apps to auto-update when connected to Wi-Fi to make things easier for you.
- Have a backup email and phone number handy just in case. When signing up for newsletters and other various websites, the chances of spam, or even phishing attempts could hit your inbox. The information you share with ISPs and online retailers should not be shared it with random people on your Twitter feed. When signing up for these, consider creating a separate, e-mail address that is not your primary inbox and if you can, a separate phone number to use for these kinds of sign-ups.
Data Privacy Day is more than just about protecting your data through technology. It’s about protection through culture and behavior changes from your child in the next room to the boss of your company. It’s up to you to own your personal data and take control of how it is shared online.
Of course, for your crucial business data, we are here to help. neoRhino IT Solutions prides on being a leader in technology solutions for business across the Houston area and beyond though Houston-based world-class IT remote and on-site support, data backup services, and cyber security training. neoRhino embraces total data protection by helping to arm both your technology and your mind with the tools you need to keep your business safe.
Contact us at info@neorhino.com or (281) 779-4850 today, and spread the word of Data Privacy Day to everyone!
