We are our digital information. Our entire lives can be found on a computer and online, and protecting this digital information needs to be our top priority. Hackers and thieves can gain access to very important information, from your personal photographs to even your banking details if you aren’t careful. If you aren’t already digitally secure, and constantly strive to be more secure, implement these five suggestions today:
- Store Information Correctly
One the best ways you can protect your digital information is to protect it from being lost. It can be very easy to lose the things you have saved within your own storage system. That is why you need to store your data correctly when you import or download it. Having and using a metadata system can mean you find those old documents with ease, as opposed to having to search through file after file, only to not find what you are looking for. Don’t lose data when you haven’t lost it – store it correctly from the get-go.
- Know Your Options for When Hard Drives Break
When your storage system breaks, it can seem like the end of the world. Before you panic, however, see if your information can be retrieved. Even reliable systems can break down, and when they do you need to consider your RAID recovery options. Not only can lost information be found, your systems can, in some cases, be fixed.
- Have a Security System on Your Computers
Not having an online and local security system is a mistake. You need to be protected from viruses and other hacking tools every time you turn your computer on. Your browsing needs to be protected just as much as your computer needs to be protected from the downloads you make. Run weekly scans to ensure that your computer is safe and secure.
- Periodically Change Passwords
You should have a password for every single log in you have online. For the most important accounts, however, you should also frequently update those passwords. Your banking password, for instance, should be updated and changed at least once a month. This is your financial security and savings you are talking about; do you really want to risk it because you used the same password that you use for everything else?
- Use the Highest Privacy and Security Options Online
Similarly, you want to also protect your online privacy. Always use the highest security and privacy settings when you are online. If you do have public accounts, however, never post about your current location – always wait until you are no longer in the area. Remember that oversharing can hurt you, so try to keep either all or specific information private.
Being secure online is a full-time commitment. You don’t want to slack off on this commitment either, as it could mean ruin for you. You wouldn’t leave your valuables in an unlocked car out in the open, would you? Your digital information are your valuables – and in many ways, are more valuable than your jewelry. Stay safe and secure online by using these five simple measures.
