Online data privacy is a hot topic. Since technology continues to advance and our reliance on the internet grows, more and more discussions about cybersecurity are taking place. 

With increasing amounts of data breaches and cyber-attacks, the importance of safeguarding your personal information has never been more critical. 

Data Privacy Week is January 21 – 27, 2024. To be in tune with the occasion, we’re sharing four tips for effectively protecting your data online.

1. Use strong passwords

Using strong and unique passwords is an essential step in protecting your data. Avoid using easily guessed passwords like “123456” and combine characters, numbers, and symbols to add originality. Additionally, properly managing your saved passwords will keep your accounts from hacks. 

2. Enable two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication offers an additional layer of security that requires a second form of verification, usually from a text message, email, or fingerprint scan. According to a survey conducted by Google, approximately 45% of internet users ⁣have⁤ enabled 2FA on at least one ​of their accounts. 

3. Be cautious of public Wi-Fi

Hackers are always looking for ways to exploit your personal identifiers, both in the real world and online. For this reason, public Wi-Fi networks can put your data at risk. The information exchanged between devices over a shared network is vulnerable to interception. This is why you should avoid accessing sensitive information, such as banking transactions when you’re not at home.

4. Review your privacy settings

Many social media platforms and websites offer privacy settings that allow you to control the information transferred from your account profile. Review these settings regularly to ensure you are comfortable with what’s collected or shared. As previously stated, technology is advancing. Developers constantly update their terms and conditions to include more functionality. Make sure your data privacy stays intact during all updates.

Related article: Learn how to increase your online security awareness

Data privacy at your fingertips

Online data privacy is a crucial aspect of our digital lives, and it’s essential to take proactive measures to protect our personal information. With powerful internet capabilities at our fingertips, make sure to think twice before you click a link or fill out your details on a request form. 

 

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