How an indvidual can protect his Data?

“PRIVACY”, this is the most important factor in our lives, whether it is internet privacy or offline, we want to keep our lives privately. But in today’s world or in this information age, internet privacy has become a myth. In some cases keeping our data privately is impossible.

Many of us understimate the importance of online privacy, but we should be aware of how much information we are sharing, not just on social networks, but just by browsing online itself. On the internet, data has high value, it can be stolen, sold, collected and analyzed. Ironically, we continue to share our personal lives on social media, ignoring the boundaries of how much we are exposing ourselves.

Why Is Privacy Important?

We all have things to hide. It could be, your private pictures, how much money you make, your medical records or your bank account number, credit card details, exchanging informtion from person to person etc. Hiding things is not bad. I don’t think these are the types of things you’d like broadcast on your social network for the entire world to see. This is the main reason why we must strive to protect our right to privacy.

What Can Be Done With Our Data?

Personal data can be misused in a number of ways if it is not kept private or if people don’t have the ability to control how their information is used:

• Criminals can use personal data to defraud or harass users
• Companies may sell personal data to advertisers or other outside parties without user consent, which can result in users receiving unwanted marketing or advertising, influencing users to false products.
• When a person’s activities are tracked and monitored, this may restrict their ability to express themselves

For individuals, any of these outcomes can be harmful, many people and countries hold that privacy has constitutional value: that privacy is a human right fundamental to a free society, like the right to free speech.

Technology has made our lives easier. But it also means that your data is no longer your own.

Our top tips to help you protect your privacy online

1. Secure your passwords.

• Passwords are the keys to our digital lives. Cybercriminals employ many tactics to try and crack them. To make this task difficult for them, use strong, complicated passwords.
• A good password should be at least eight characters long, and use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Don’t use full words, names, addresses, phone numbers or any other easily identifiable personal information. Be sure to avoid using the same password across multiple websites as well.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), if available, is another way of verifying your identity other than just a username and password.
• Never save passwords on your device

2. Be conscious of all privacy settings

Most apps offer privacy settings for users. This gives you the freedom to know how much and what kind of information is shared. Always choose the least amount of data sharing. Always be cautious when sharing your name and location. Turn off location services and deny access to your camera. When it comes to social media, be sure to review your privacy settings.

3. Keep your operating system up to date.

Software updates perform important tasks. They are available for both our operating systems and individual software programs. Performing these updates will deliver a multitude of revisions to your computer or mobile phone, such as adding new features, removing outdated features,delivering bug fixes, and most importantly, fixing security holes that have been discovered.

4. Be aware of what you click online

Phishing (sourcing your sensitive data when you go online) depends on you clicking on certain risky sites. So, read carefully online and do not click on anything remotely suspicious. Don’t forget, some phishing threats pose as ads.

5. Secure your devices and use antivirus software

You should definitely have up to date, industry-leading antivirus software on your device, whether it’s mobile or a computer. Run it regularly and carry out frequent scans.

6. Browse in incognito mode

When browsing online, you have the option of choosing “incognito” mode. Also known as “private browsing”, it means that your online history isn’t stored or remembered.

To conclude

Keeping your personal information private is your right, but it is our responsibility. It doesn’t matter if you surf the web on your own, or you provide an online service. It is your responsibility to use and manage the information correctly and safely.

if you don’t take precautions towards your digital information, you could suffer a wide range of attacks and frauds such as Phishing, spyware, and malware. Through these and other strategies, hackers can easily steal your identity.

We need to understand that, all of us must take ownership of our data security. Every individual is responsible for the privacy of their information and how much of it they decide to disclose.