Last updated - January 9, 2024
Data protection is important for both individuals as well as businesses, including large enterprises. In this guide, we have shared important tips to help you keep your online data safe.
Data security and privacy are a growing concern for internet users globally. According to a publication dubbed RSA Data Security & Privacy Survey 2019, 45% of respondents said their personal information had been compromised at least once in the last five years. This should be a major cause for alarm as an internet user.
The only way to stay in control of your data security and privacy is by implementing data protection methods. This article has shared 5 crucial tips to help you protect your data and safeguard privacy.
Data Protection vs. Data Privacy
While data security and data privacy are used interchangeably, there is a clear distinction between the two terms. Data protection is all about the mechanisms for preventing the corruption of data, compromise, or loss. On the other hand, data privacy encompasses everything to do with the rules and regulations of data handling, from how information is collected, to how it is stored and used.
For the record, data protection doesn’t guarantee data privacy and vice versa.
Five Crucial Data Protection Methods
Now that you know a thing or two about data protection and privacy, let’s get to the main business of the day. So how do you ensure that your data is protected and privacy is not compromised? Below are some of the data protection and privacy measures to implement.
1. Use Secure Websites and Software
Let’s face it; hundreds of thousands of unsecured websites and fishy software pose a great risk to internet users. For example, according to statistics, almost 21% of the top 100,000 websites on Alexa rankings still don’t use HTTPS. Worse enough, 53.5% of websites have inadequate security, while 1 out of 10 URLs is malicious.
To be on the safe side, make sure the websites you visit are secured using the latest encryption. To ascertain whether or not a website is secured, check for the locked padlock icon just before the website’s address. If the padlock is unlocked, that means the website is unsecured, so your data could be at risk.
Another tip, be on the lookout for malicious links and attachments, especially in emails. Cybersecurity experts say that malicious email attachments and links are capable of destroying or corrupting data and stealing information.
You should also avoid installing any suspicious software or extensions. Hackers also use malicious software, including pirated ones, and extensions to infect your devices with malware and other scripts that can be used to snoop on you and even steal your data.
2. Deploy OnlineSecurity Tools
Another way to protect and safeguard your data online is by deploying online security tools. Today, there are plenty of online security solutions to help you keep your data safe and secure while prioritizing privacy. Below are some of the must-have tools if you want to protect your data.
(a) Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
A VPN is an online security tool designed to offer safe and secure browsing and anonymity. They work by tunneling all the data you send and receive through dedicated servers thus encrypting data and hiding your IP address. VPNs help us achieve a lot of things. First, they offer secure browsing and allow users to access restricted content. What’s more? A VPN facilitates easy and fast torrenting and P2P sharing without any risks of bandwidth throttling.
(b) Stealth Browsers
One of the best data protection methods today is stealth browsers, also known as antidetect browsers or anti fingerprinting browsers. Unlike VPNs which only hide your IP address, antidetect browsers spoof all the parameters that can be used to track you, including your browser fingerprint. With all crucial data points masked, you are guaranteed anonymity when browsing. Whatever data you share or the activity you undertake remains hidden.
(c) Antivirus and Antispyware Software
Considering the high cases of virus attacks on devices, antivirus software, together with antispyware software, are very critical. According to statistics, over 560,000 pieces of malware are detected daily. That said, it’s important to safeguard data using antivirus software. They scan, detect, quarantine, and delete any malicious code in your system. Remember, it’s these malicious codes and scripts that are used to compromise your data.
(d) Firewalls
Setting up a firewall can also be crucial if you are conscious about your data security and privacy. For starters, firewalls are network security systems that monitor and control all incoming and outgoing network traffic based on the set security rules. With a firewall, your device is protected against cyber-attacks and malicious network traffic.
3. Leverage Passwords
Statistics in the Verizon 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report show that 61% of data breaches result from compromised passwords. Passwords go a long way in securing and protecting our data. But then, to get the most out of passwords, a few things need to be implemented.
First, use passwords even if they are optional. Securing your data with a password is the first layer of security. When selecting the password, go for a longer one as longer passcodes are harder to crack. For example, a publication on Scientific American shows that it takes 62 trillion times longer to crack a 12-character password than a 6-character password.
Also, avoid using common passwords that can be guessed, for example, your name, date of birth, and so on. Importantly, never share your passwords with anyone. Lastly, consider using two-factor authentication as it adds another layer of security.
4. Update All Software
Software updates are very key when it comes to data protection and security. Experts reiterate that your computer should be ‘…properly patched and updated.” This is because security features are as good as their latest version. Updated versions come with the latest security features and patches. Unfortunately, hackers tend to capitalize on weaknesses in earlier software versions.
To be on the safe side, make sure to update all the software you use, from the Operating System (OS) to the browser you are using. To make things easier, opt for automatic updates.
5. Back-Up Data Regularly
Backing up your data is crucial as it gives you cover in the event you lose it. You may lose data when you delete it accidentally, there’s physical device damage or formatting errors. Malware such as viruses and ransomware are also possible causes of data loss.
To be on the safe side, backup all your data, whether on physical devices or on the cloud. The latter is the best option today as it is highly secure, cost-efficient, and has excellent usability.
Wrapping Up
There you have it, folks, five clever data protection methods. While data protection and privacy have become a major concern today, the above tips will help you take charge of your data security and privacy. If you want to safeguard your data, implement these methods and forget all the worries of data breaches.
Thank you very much for the article, because now there are really a lot of attacks.