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Improve Data Security to Protect Private Information

Protect your personal information

By Paisley HansenPublished 4 years ago 4 min read
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Personal data, especially financial data, must be protected at all costs. Certain entities invest a lot of time and effort into attempts to access such information. Credit card information and bank account info sell on the online black market and garner high prices. Anyone with critical data and financial information on their computers does need to take note of the potential security threats they face.

Wise strategies must be implemented in order to maximize security. Those who fail to do so may suffer the consequences of not taking the steps necessary to enhance security. Anyone who does wish to maximize security benefit from weighing option to implement a few approaches.

Update Operating Systems on Time

Delaying operating system updates seems preferable to people who don't want to lose the use of their computer. Waiting an hour for the update to complete can seem like a hassle. So, they continually select the "update later" option. They may even put the updates off for weeks and weeks. This strategy, however, can be a dangerous one. Updates often improve security functions. Holes exist in operating systems that threats may exploit. OS designers know this, which is why they upgrade security.

Those upgrades don't find their way into the computer of someone who puts them off. This leads to vulnerabilities manifesting. Once the vulnerabilities exist, they can be exploiting and data compromised.

Stay Off Public WIFI

When accessing your private data, make sure you are doing so on a secure device and secure network. If you do need to access your information and have to be on a public WIFI, install a VPN. What is a VPN for IPhones or Androids? A VPN is a Virtual Private Network that installs a private network on top of the public network that you are currently using. This can ensure that the data you are looking at is under the same security that it would be on in a private, secure network.

Put Backup Systems in Place

Certain threats to data could be operational problems with the computer itself. If the computer crashes and dies, the hard drive could go with it. Even if data on the drive is recoverable, the cost may be quite high. A backup system that copies data allows you an extremely easy path for recovering the content if lost. Cloud-based backups might even be the best option since the cloud comes with extensive security systems in place. The data likely can be reliably recovered when a computer or an external backup drive end up ruined.

Utilize Encryption Options

Encryption tools create something akin to a "secret code" when transmitting content via email or other means. The entire hard drive could even be encrypted, which would surely frustrate someone attempting to access files without permission. Encryption programs have been simplified so the "average computer user" can install the tools and access protective benefits. Once put in place, encryption programs go to work adding a vital additional layer of security. Ultimately, the more layers of security utilized, the harder it becomes to breach the security firewalls.

Institute Strong Password Security

Password security steps often require simply employing common sense. Choosing an easy to crack password only sets someone up for an intrusion at one point. Not changing a password when alerted to a possible security breach would be a disastrous mistake. Giving a password to people who shouldn't have it expands the potential for unauthorized access. Yet, even after years of serious reports about passwords being compromised and the disasters that follow, people don't take correct security steps.

Again, basic steps can work significantly. Creating unique passwords for each and every account would be a basic way to make security breaches a little more difficult. Compromising one password doesn't automatically lead to universal access to all accounts. Another basic step to take would be to use credible and reliable password generation programs. This way, the passwords won't be easy to figure out.

Don't Wait Any Longer

Data and private information stay at risk unless clear steps are taken to protect the content. Knowing what may increase security means nothing if clear steps to institute security protection isn't done. Avoiding delays and moving quickly to add more security would likely be the best strategy to employ.

cybersecurity
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About the Creator

Paisley Hansen

Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert in health, fitness, beauty, and fashion. When she isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym.

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