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How to Ensure the Security of Your Files and Sensitive Data Online

In an age where communication and Internet use are almost mandatory, files and all other data on the Internet must be protected. Hackers constantly devise new attack methods, making it imperative that their activity is observed and their measures understood. This article provides guidelines on how to protect your data, enabling you to move freely around cyberspace.

1. Use Strong and Unique Passwords

“Developing passwords containing characters different from each other serves as suitable security for the account. The password should be at least 12 characters long but contain mixes of the alphabet, lower and uppercase, and numbers and special symbols. The canvas should not be from dictionaries or contain frequently guessed data, including your name, date of birth, etc. Sharing a single password with other accounts is, therefore, a massive security threat.” Peter Brooke, CEO of HealthPlusLife. One account can lead the other to be exposed to the attacker since they share the same logins. There is no way around it; utilize a password manager to create and safely store each account with a different password.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

According to Indie Basi, Company Director at Wade Building Supplies, Two-factor authentication (2FA) increases protection for an account by requiring identification through two steps. The first is a password, and the second is the token or passcode usually sent to the mobile phone or generated in the token-generating application. If an attacker snatches the password, they will be locked out of your account as they require the second factor.

“Critically, all the methods used for implementing 2FA are not equal in terms of security. While it is easier and more effective to use mobile SMSs for the 2FA, the technique is not immune to isolated SIM swapping attacks.” Michael Jensen, CMO, Forsikringssiden. For greater security, there are applications for Android and iOS, Google Authenticator, and Microsoft Authenticator. The increasing level of protection is achieved by using the hardware security token, and if you can, you can use the YubiKey.

3. Keep Software and Devices Updated

“Updating your devices and software means that the latest patches and security capabilities protect them. Hackers use this opportunity to penetrate an organization’s system since older applications have known weaknesses. These security holes are shut when updating regularly, saving you from probable threats. On other devices, use the settings that turn on automatic updates, as this will help to prevent instances where the user is left with no option but to forget to update their devices or the particular software.” says Ben Colewell, Solar Design And Technical Manager at The Little Green Energy Company. This ensures that your system is safeguarded from attacks, which does not necessarily call for input from you.

4. Use Encrypted Cloud Storage Services

“Cloud storage is a popular means of having files easily retrievable and shareable, but not all are created equally in terms of security. Select end-to-end encryption solutions to safeguard your data while transferring and storing. With end-to-end encryption, only you and those granted permission can access your files. So, it is essential to read the privacy policies of a cloud storage service before choosing one.” commented Nick Oberheiden, Founder at Oberheiden P.C. Please make sure the provider can’t open its copy of the file and select a plan that fully complies with data protection legislation. Tresorit and Sync.com are some of the most secure personal cloud storage services on the market.

5. Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi

Gerrid Smith, Chief Marketing Officer at Joy Organics, asserts, “Computing systems in hotels, airports, or cafés provide free access to the internet but fail to do the same safely. These insecure networks will enable someone to interfere with the information you are passing. Never use an internet account to enter passwords or personal details while on a public Wi-Fi network. Use your mobile data or connect through a personal hotspot if you require an internet connection. Mobile networks are safer for the most part than other public networks; thus, there is a very low chance of having your data intercepted.”

6. Regularly Back Up Your Data

Leonidas Sfyris, CTO of Need a Fixer, said, ” Data backups let you restore all or part of your files if copies of your information are lost or corrupted — back up in different locations, like an external hard drive and a cloud storage service. You should periodically establish a test to check if you can restore files from your backup. This step enables you to notice inconsistencies regarding the backup, such as corrupted entities or perhaps incomplete data, and this is ever before an emergency strikes.

7. Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are a form of identity theft that lures people into accepting untrue statements or entering false sites containing fake forms to fill out. They usually mimic some reputable organization, such as a bank, an email service provider, etc., to the victims. Ben Flynn, Marketing Manager at 88Vape, advises, “Avoid falling into phone or email scams by not getting any messages asking for your details without confirming the sender’s authenticity.

According to Andrei Vasilescu, Co-founder and CEO at DontPayFull, Phishing scams use social engineering as a tool to practice scams. The ill-intentioned may ploy the pretext of emergency access, threaten to suspend the specified account, or promise customers any enticing incentives. Andrei further informed about the other tactics such as email and phone scams because they go a long way in catapulting people into a ripe candidate list for these schemes.

8. Limit the Sharing of Personal Information

“This means that the more details you post on social media platforms, the higher the chance that someone with bad intentions will get your information, hence employing the necessary means to access your account. You should be selective about what you post on social networks, forums, and other places on the web. Most social networks provide options to adjust who can see your updates, images, and information. Please ensure those settings are checked and modified occasionally so a third party cannot easily see your information.” Gemma Hughes, Global Marketing Manager at iGrafx.

Wrap up

We must be safe and stringent to be secure in the cyber world with our files and sensitive data. The general threats can be minimized by having a strong password, using two-factor authentication, updating your software, especially the operating system, and being cautious with public Wi-Fi. Moreover, mastering cloud storage with SSL encryption, proper data backup, recognizing phishing, and minimal sharing of personal information is crucial for protecting digital life. In today’s environment where the threats are only growing, knowledge and using these strategies will allow you to be comfortable using the technology fearlessly and with no worries.