Adhoss isn’t just good at taking care of marketing for businesses, but customer cares alike. In the digital marketing age, businesses and consumers use technology that requires some valuable data such as personal information to transact which can be crucial if not handled properly. And it’s why we prepared this blog for you.

 

In today’s world, we always deal with data, especially online. On some Data Ethics blogs, we have tackled subjects pertaining to data privacy, its importance, and why we need to protect them. Sharing data online is a huge risk for everyone as it can be put in the hands of a criminal and be used in horrible crimes if not taken properly.

 

In this article, we will give you some tips and insight on how to keep and maintain data privacy online which is very essential for us today.

 

Data Privacy is the ability of an individual to control and monitor when, where, and how their information, especially personal ones are being used, shared, and communicated. It is very important and essential to be taken properly as it could be used in crimes and cause havoc if used inappropriately. That is why, in the modern jurisdiction, not just data privacy, but privacy itself is considered as a fundamental human right and data privacy laws were implemented.

 

With this, as the usage of the internet and technology evolved over the years, these data privacy laws were revised to make them more effective as websites, applications, and social media platforms nowadays collect our personal data in order to give us better services. These sites, platforms, and applications also use and have data privacy terms, conditions, and rules especially to big companies collecting big data.

 

However, despite the strengthened data privacy laws and company rules, there are still times that data breaches happen. Either because the company does not have a strong safeguard to protect their users data, inside job, or could sometimes be because of the users carelessly sharing their data.

 

To avoid these things to happen and to help you keep your privacy online, here are some tips that we gathered for you.

 

1. Minimize What You Share Online

The first and easiest step to do is to minimize or limit what you share online, especially personal information and activities.

 

Sharing activities in social media nowadays are on trend to the extent that even personal activities and schedules are being shared. As everyone calls it, it is merely sharing and making memories. However, most netizens aren’t aware that there are some online predators waiting for the right time to attack their targets.

 

You may not know if someone is actually monitoring and stalking you to determine your pattern of sharing info and going online. It also makes you vulnerable to hackers as they observe everything about their prey to get even the slightest information they could use to get in and access your accounts, especially your financial accounts such as bank accounts, debits, and credit cards.

 

So, it is very advisable to limit and minimize what you share online.

2. Use Strong and Unique Passwords

Oftentimes, people online use passwords that are easy to remember because they easily forget things, especially passwords or passcodes. And ironically, most people online believe that it is better to use easy passwords to avoid losing access to their accounts. But contrary to this, it is actually better to use strong, unique, and hard passwords to avoid losing access to your account. Here’s why:

 

Using a unique and shuffled combination of passwords makes it hard for hackers to decipher or decrypt encryptions. It may take them some time or make it impossible for them to decipher the combination that you used. And by the time they are about to decrypt your combination, you may have possibly determined that someone is trying to hack into your account and have the chance to secure it by changing your password into a harder and more complex one.

 

Avoid using names of your family, friends, or colleagues, and dates as it is easy for people around you to guess them. Or if you are going to use dates, use one that no one, like literally no one knew. But it is very advisable not to use dates and names at all.

 

If you are afraid to use strong, unique, and shuffled combinations of passwords because you are a person who easily forgets things, it is advisable to note your passwords somewhere that is well-hidden and well-kept.

 

3. Use Two-Factor Authentication Security

This is the new and most trusted type of authentication security nowadays. This two-factor authentication security enables you to connect your accounts into another trusted account or your SMS that will send warnings, or verification codes if ever someone else is trying to access your account.

 

With this, you will be notified and be able to monitor where your accounts are logged in. It will also give you an advantage to have the chance to determine who might be trying to access your account as the location and device type most of the time is being sent together with the authentication code.

 

4. Be Wary and Careful of What You Click

Sometimes, accounts are being hacked because of accidentally clicking websites or ads that are actually a trap. Be careful of what you click when browsing. There are some ads and links that are enticing to look at which are actually used and generated by hackers to clickbait users and web surfers. Once you click these trap ads and links, hackers are able to access your device, computer, or account.

 

So, do not easily be enticed with these ads and links especially if they look new or unusual to you. It is better to just swipe or scroll pass them to avoid getting hacked.

5. Only Purchase on Legit and Trusted Online Stores

Online stores and selling are now on trend. With just a few clicks, you will be able to buy something or even purchase groceries without physically going to stores. Though this makes things easier for us, it also makes us sometimes vulnerable to hackers and scammers.

 

Make sure than when purchasing online, only purchase legit and trusted stores and websites. Even when you see a store or website that offers a cheaper deal than those offered in trusted ones, always choose to purchase on the latter stores. Cheap deals are most of the time clickbaits to gain users into their site and have access to their accounts and devices.

 

6. Block or Turn Off Search Engines

When browsing online, there are search engines that track your pattern of web surfing that could sometimes cause a data breach and make you vulnerable to hackers. So, better turn off or block search engines that track your web surfings.

 

Also, it is advisable if you delete or clear your search history regularly as this could be also used to track and observe your pattern of web surfing and the sites you visit often.

7. Use Anti-Virus Software on Your Device

Anti-virus softwares or applications also helps you to have better web and online security. These softwares monitors if a virus that is most of the time, dangerous and harmful is in your device. Likewise, it gives you warning if a site or app you are trying to visit is dangerous before letting you browse on it.

 

Most devices, especially new models of mobile phones nowadays automatically have or have built-in anti-virus softwares in their systems which helps you save time installing one and deciding which one from tons of anti-virus software you would use.

 

Hope these seven easy tips help you with securing your privacy online as it is very essential to be cautious about it. Do not let your privacy be invaded in any way and keep everything that should be kept personal and private at all times.

 

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