On Data Privacy Day, here are 10 simple tips to keep your data safe
Recognized annually on January 28th, Data Privacy Day is defined as a centered approach towards respecting privacy, safeguarding data, and enabling trust. It is a global effort to raise and promote awareness around protecting one’s data and privacy. With this thought in mind, we have put together these 10 tips to help you keep your data safe and away from the reach of attackers.
10 tips to keep your data safe
#1. Do not go soft on your passwords
Change the passwords of your online accounts. Here are some tips to build strong and unique ones:
- Use a mix of uppercase and lower letters
- Use special characters
- Use numbers
- Use at least 8 characters
Also, here’s a fun way to create a password that is strong and can be easily remembered. First, think of a phrase or the title of your favorite book or movie; say, “The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo”. Now, take the first letter of every word in the title – this will give you tgwtdt. Capitalize a letter, add some numbers, and special characters – and you will have the ultimate password Tgwtdt#$8945B. We tested the strength of this password, and it seems that a hacker will take about 273 years to crack it. Find it out yourself – https://www-ssl.intel.com/content/www/us/en/forms/passwordwin.html
#2. Back up, back up, back up!
Take a back up of all your important data stored on your computer and mobile device. You can either take the backup over Cloud or an external hard drive. Taking regular data backups can save you from the aftermath of a virus attack or system crash – especially a ransomware infection. Ransomware is a malware that hijacks your data and demands money (ransom) to release it.
#3. Delete sensitive data securely
Data Privacy Day is not only about storing or saving data. It also advocates the importance of disposing of your information securely. Data that you delete from your computer or mobile device does not really get deleted permanently. It can still be recovered with advanced data recovery tools. So, while removing sensitive information, ensure it is gone forever. Know how to delete your data securely.
#4. Encrypted data is safe data
It is unsafe to store login ID and passwords, banking details, social security number, and other such sensitive information on your mobile device or computer. But, if you can’t help it, ensure that the data is encrypted. When you encrypt an information, it gets converted into an unreadable form, and can only be read by you. So, even if a situation arises wherein your data falls into the wrong hands, you can rest assured that it won’t get misused.
#5. Keep personal information personal
Just like you won’t hand over your wallet, ID card, or house key to a stranger, avoid sharing your personal information on the Internet; these could be unfamiliar websites, survey forms, online friends, unsolicited emails, and anything/anybody that asks for your information. When it comes to Data Privacy, it’s wise to be a miser in sharing your data.
#6. Never shop or bank on unsecured Wi-Fi networks
Banking or shopping online using unsecured Wi-Fi networks can let attackers steal your personal and financial information. While using any such network, ensure it is accessible only with a login ID and password.
#7. Be mindful of the mobile apps you install on your device
Before installing any mobile app, review its permissions carefully. Many a time, you may come across an app that asks for permissions that are not actually required for it to function on your device. For instance, if a simple Flash Light app is asking your permission to access your device’s Internet, contact details, photos, etc., then chances are it is a malicious or a potentially dangerous app. So, stay cautious against such threats.
#8. Do not take the phishing bait!
One of the greatest threats to your data and privacy is phishing. Phishing is defined as an attempt to trick you into providing your personal or financial details so that the attacker can commit illegal acts using your name. Any unknown or unexpected communication (email, call, SMS, etc.) that carries a sense of urgency and requires you to provide your personal information should be treated as a phishing attack. Always ignore such communications and report them to the right authority.
#9. Lock your mobile devices
With mobile devices becoming an integral part of our everyday lives, they store massive amounts of data about us, our friends and family members. More importantly, being smaller and compact, they are more vulnerable to theft. So, it is only logical to protect these devices with a PIN, fingerprint or a password. We do not recommend the Pattern Lock because they are easily noticeable and less secure. Also, it is wise to keep the Automatic Lock feature ON at all times.
#10. Get a reliable antivirus that offers layers of protection
While you follow all the steps mentioned above, also consider getting a trusted antivirus solution. The software that you choose must offer multiple layers of security that can block ransomware, fake, infected and phishing websites, emails designed for phishing attacks, malicious downloads, and unauthorized data storage devices.
Remember, your data is you. If it gets stolen, you get stolen. Stay safe!
If you find this post helpful, share it with your friends and peers.
Content references:
www.staysafeonline.org
www.its.ms.gov
www.privacyassociation.org
Post updated as of 25.01.18
39 Comments
good
Dear Rajib,
Thanks for sharing information.
I am not IT guy but using computer since many years and I come across with lots of things to do on computers but didn’t know in detailed of security. Now I will take care.
Virendra Patel
very good
very nice antivirus
Very good quickhill antivirus
I have seen that this app is much best than any other anti virus app
this work well I like it
good evening
Nice job
We are very thankful to u as you have given such warnings & suggestion to us. in future give such practices for our betterness aswell.
nice tips to learn
Excellent advice.
It’s really very good App
I want to save my data and my phone didn’t want to hang.Thank u
Good app
Nice
GOOD
Dear Rajib,
Such wonderful posts ought to be copiable/send-able, with the regular email services, and not simply, the default, as set at present!
Thanks and Good luck!
Yours faithfully,
Ajay
The information is very good and now a days most mobile user use Wi-Fi network. for them it is seful as free is not always secure. Also after monetary transaction through web borwser the history should be deleted and the device should be restarted with administrative pasword to log in the device also in IE the phishing filter should be on. Better is through safe banking of Quick heal device who does not know ABC of computer/ internet .Thank you.
I believe you quickheal
vgood
Very good person
Thanks for Advice
Good
excellent
thanks
Good app
If I con ‘t registration my Guardian any problem ……
please reply me …..
Hi Aradhana,
Thank you for writing in. Our support engineers would gladly help you with this issue. Please call us on our toll-free no. 1800-121-7377 or visit https://bit.ly/QHChat to chat with us online. You can also raise a ticket at https://bit.ly/Askus and we will get back to you at the earliest.
Regards,
Thanks for every thinks
This security is very best
Good app
Nice work
good
Nice
QHAV IS the useless antivirus,
Some one who really think their data is important they should go for any other AV,
Or
If any one really wants to know how brilliant QH TECHNICAL TEAM is ,
Then simply ask them why they are not able to resolve my various infection from may be 6 months or more time on my laptop which destroyed my all data which was from 2009 and that was including personal and business,
You may ask why QH Team closed the ticket
Without resolving mt raised issues
(((( Incident – Malware ID: 19766901 : With reference to direct case.))))
Q H team please respond her let all your current and future clients know how you are fooling your clients
Best regards,
Prashant Sawant,
Hi Prashant,
We are apologetic for the unpleasant experience that you had to undergo. We have escalated the issue and one of our team members will get in touch with you to assist you.
Regards,
How can I encrypt my data like my passwords and bank details which are I save on my pc or android mobile? Please help me!
Is it safe to download through app stores ?
Good Tips