As our personal and professional lives become evermore intertwined into the online world, it’s likewise important to take steps to protect your sensitive information. These quick and easy steps can help ensure your online data and presence is protected at all times.
The Importance of Passwords
If you’re still using “1234” as a password in 2022, you really need to think about how seriously you’re taking digital security. Strong passwords are an essential part of online security. Ideally, your password should be much longer and feature a much more challenging jumble of letters, numbers, and symbols. You should also try and use multiple ones in case one password on one site gets compromised. For important data checks, implement two-factor authentication to add an extra text-based layer of security.
Beware Fishiness and Phishing
If a link looks suspicious, don’t open it. Delete it immediately. Just because something has the subject line of a real company such as Amazon doesn’t mean it’s from them, either. Check to make sure the URL of the sender matches who they say they are before opening anything from them.
Encrypt Your Messages
To add another layer of security, you’ll want to use apps such as WhatsApp, which use end-to-end encryption. This means that you and your texting interlocutors can read the messages but no one else. That said, they only stay that way as long as they’re there. If you move a WhatsApp chat to Google Cloud or iCloud, they are no longer encrypted.
Check Your Privacy Settings
Don’t just take it for granted that your privacy settings are set up the way you want them, especially on social media sites hungry for your data. That said, you don’t need to be completely phobic and shut yourself off from these sites, either. Simply review your privacy settings and make sure that you are giving out only as much information as you want.
With a few basic steps, you can make your browsing situation much safer and ensure that you are able to continue to live your best online life with security and confidence.