Data Privacy Day: Protect Your Information

Data Privacy Day 2015

You would be surprised how many people are NOT truly protected both offline and on. Here at WP Security Lock we strongly believe you should know how to keep your personal & business data private from potential hackers. So what is all the fuss about today?

Data Privacy Day (DPD) is a global effort to empower people to protect their privacy and escalate the protection of privacy as everyone's priority. This is a day to raise awareness and promote privacy and data protection (source).

National Cyber Security Alliance and StaySafeOnline.org has a privacy quiz. Take the quiz and see if you are a privacy pro or if you need to learn more tips to protect your personal info online.

Following are some tips on how to protect your personal and customer information and your online privacy. This is serious stuff so please pay attention and do your part on the Internet to make it a safer place.

*Protect Personal Information

The FTC recommends these four tips:

Keep your personal information secure offline
Keep your personal information secure online
Secure your social security number
Keep your devices secure.

*Protect Customer Information

First and foremost make sure your team/staff know your customer data policy to secure sensitive data. You need to have a confidentiality plan in place. Also protect your customer's information by using encryption when requesting personal information, get rid of documents or other customer info that you no longer need and of course show your commitment to security and participate in activities like Data Privacy Day and National Cyber Security Awareness month like we do on a regular basis.

*Online Privacy

In this day and age we are all to often on the go. While we are on the move we are always trying to stay “connected.” However, really think about it – are you secure?

It is imperative to connect via a secure Wi-Fi connection. It's not worth the disaster that can happen to your business and of course your life over all just because you were in a rush to check your bank account. If you are not online via a secure network just don't bother!

If you are on a laptop make certain to secure your computer. Use passwords to lock up your laptop or desktop when you are away. You just never now what can happen when you walk out of the office (home office included). Whether it's intentional or not someone could type just enough o have your sensitive info shared all over the internet.

Prevent unauthorized access by setting up two step verification in places like Gmail and Facebook. Don't know how to find, view or change privacy or security settings for your personal devices and online services? You need this list in your arsenal.

Use LastPass password manager – this is an extremely important step to take and one that is shared here often at WP Security Lock. Plus the mobile app is amazing. You don't need to save passwords to your computer. Save them securely with LastPass. Protect your identity – Stop typing in your username and password every time. Access your LastPass vault both on your computer or via the mobile app to be safe.

Watch out for online scams. While you are super creative in building your business there are scammers even more creative trying to “break in” where ever they can. The same rule applies – if it's too good to be true, then it sure is! Don't fall prey to fake sweepstakes and contests. The information these types of scams try to get from you will just opens the door to the privacy you need to guard. If you do fall victim to such a scam make sure to report it as soon as you realize it has happened.

Don't “over share” sensitive information online. Make sure to be careful about using your mother's maiden name, first pet's name, birth date and whatever else that helps identify who you are via the social networks or any other place while connected to the internet.

Keep a close eye to see if your name is mentioned anywhere online by setting up a Google Alert for your name. This can also help in business!

If you are active on social media be sure to check all privacy settings. You don't always have to fill out your entire profile. Skip sharing your phone number, email address, etc.

And here's a big one, you don't have to give the correct security answers when setting up security questions. For example when banking online there might be a security question asking your mother's maiden name or city you were born. Make it up!

Never give handouts. What does this mean? Simply put don't make it easy for anyone to prey off your information. Between personal & business data make it difficult for those that want to take advantage of you to do so! No handouts that are not related to your super business endeavors.

And it's really important that you share all this info with your children too! It seems they are online a lot more than us adults these days and with very little experience they really can't comprehend the harm things can cause by sharing too much.