If you are reading this post, certainly you care about personal data protection. This means you don’t want your data to fall into the wrong hands. So, here are some tips that will ensure your personal and professional data stays secure and protected.
Over the past few years, cybersecurity has been on everyone’s mind, but with work from home becoming rampant, it has become more relevant. As we are spending most of the time learning about data protection becomes crucial. So, let’s understand the data security tip without any further delay.
Tips to Protect Your Data Online and Stay Safe
1. Check if Your Password is Secure or Not
Why: In the past, companies like Facebook, Equifax, Marriott, and others have been plagued by data breaches & password leaks. And if you have an online account, you can be the next target, or a hacker might be leaking data as you read this post.
How: The best way to know if your account has been compromised or not, visit Have I Been Pwned? Here enter your email address and let the site check if it is compromised or not. If you find your data is compromised, don’t be afraid, they can be the sites and services you have not used in years. But this does not mean you can take a sigh of relief. To stay secure, you need to remove your account from all the sites you no longer use and even change the passwords.
2. Get a VPN and Use it
Why: Companies, internet service providers, and websites track everything you do online. Every ad, and social media button, collect information about you, and the data collected say more about you than you can imagine. For instance, you think you are smart to use free public Wi-Fi to browse the web and save money, but chances are your system has been compromised, and hackers steal data. That’s why using the best VPN service is suggested.
How: A VPN for Windows PC like Systweak VPN transmits the data through an encrypted network, thus shielding your identity. This blocks hackers from knowing what you are doing online. Also, the ISP cannot know which site you are visiting. Systweak VPN offers several servers to connect with, thus allowing you to access the website and even bypass geo-restrictions securely.
Whether you are accessing public Wi-Fi or a home network and want to add a secure layer to your browsing experience, using VPN is the best solution. To use Systweak VPN, follow these steps:
- Click the button below to get the Systweak VPN.
- Sign up for an account.
- Turn on the switch to automatically connect to the best server available. However, if you want, you can change the country.
That’s it.
3. Use a Password Manager
Why: Hackers’ most common way to access your account is to crack the password. Most of us to remember passwords use birthdates, names, and anniversary dates which is easy for hackers to guess and get their hands on. They use these combinations to hack your account and steal data.
Related: Protect Your Social Media Account From Being Hacked
How: The trusted way to prevent this from happening is to use a password manager that will help create strong and unique passwords. Password Manager like TweakPass will help create random passwords, and most importantly, you won’t have to remember them as you can save them in the AES-256 encrypted vault. You can only access the vault with the Master Password you set.
4. Install Antivirus Software and Keep it Updated
Why: Viruses may not seem as prevalent as they used to be a decade ago, but they do exist. On the other hand, malicious software are wreaking havoc. They are everywhere, from annoying pop-up ads to Bitcoin mining to tracking personal information and stealing financial details.
How: The best way to stay protected against these threats is to use updated antivirus software with real-time protection. Though Windows offers a built-in security tool, adding an extra layer does no harm. Systweak Antivirus is your best bet. It does not interfere with Windows Defender and doesn’t show annoying pop-ups.
5. Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Why: Multi-factor authentication means you are adding another layer of security to your account. When your account has multi-factor authentication enabled, even if the hackers have access to your password, they cannot access your account. They will need the security code that only you will receive.
How: Accounts like Gmail, Evernote, Dropbox, etc., are a few examples of online services that offer multi-factor authentication. Use the functionality they provide to secure your account and secure your data.
6. Clear Cache
Why: To load pages quickly, web browsers save references to the website you frequently visit. This cached data slows down page loading speed and can also be used to compromise your privacy.
How: To stay safe from this, clearing the cache is suggested. For this purpose, you can either use the Privacy Protector module of Advanced System Optimizer or clear the cache manually. To clear cache in Chrome, follow these steps:
- Launch Google Chrome browser.
- Click three dots at the top right corner > More tools > Clear browsing data > select the time range, and that’s it.
7. Don’t use the Save Passwords Feature
Why: Speaking of convenience, most browsers offer built-in password management systems. We recommend following this practice as they are not stored in an encrypted form. Also, when you can import these passwords into another browser, hackers can.
How: To stay safe and ensure data security, never save passwords in the browser. If you want to save passwords, use professional password managers. They are designed for this job, & they do it aptly.
8. Avoid Clicking on Emails and Links Received From Unknown Sources
Why: Another common way that hackers use to compromise your online privacy is through phishing attempts. They send legitimate-looking emails, but you will find spelling mistakes, misspelled words, or different email addresses if you look properly.
How: To stay safe from such hacks, avoid clicking on links or emails received from an unknown sender. Also, when visiting websites, cross-check the link and only visit the official website. Furthermore, never fall for tricks like you have won a lottery and others.
9. Browse in Incognito
Why: When you browse the web without private mode, the browsing history, cookies, and temporary files are saved on the PC and the PC. Due to this, anyone who has access to the computer can know what you searched, which sites you visited, etc.
How: If you are concerned about data security and do not want your browser or PC to save this information, use the privacy protection offered by different browsers. Chrome calls it Incognito Mode, Firefox calls it Private Browsing, and Edge calls it InPrivate Browsing. When these modes are enabled, others won’t be able to trace your browsing history from your computer. However, remember these modes are not 100% private. If you are searching on a company computer, your IT admin can track all your activities.
10. Secure your Mobile Devices
Why: Almost everyone one of us uses smartphones to answer emails, browse emails, and stream videos. But only a handful of us lock our mobile phones or use security software to stay protected. This puts our data at risk, as anyone can access the details saved on the smartphone and use them for personal gain.
How: To begin with, ensure your mobile is password protected. It might seem like an extra effort you need to make each time you use the device, but it is worth it. The password will offer an additional layer of protection, and if the phone is lost, the hackers will not be able to access the information saved. Note: Never use your birthdate, phone number, or house number as it is easy to guess.
Wrap Up –
Ultimately, security and privacy are linked, so it’s a good idea to get in the habit of protecting both. It may seem like a time-consuming task to some, but this doesn’t mean you can ignore it. Once you keep in mind the tips explained above, you can stay safe and ensure personal data protection. In addition to this, you need to have your judgment and establish online behaviors.
