TOP 10 SIMPLE WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR DIGITAL INFO IN 2020 | CarbonKlip

TOP 10 SIMPLE WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR DIGITAL INFO IN 2020

TOP 10 SIMPLE WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR DIGITAL INFO IN 2019

 

 

10:

Limit Password Autosaving

 

When entering a password, many browsers will offer to “Autosave”. This feature can be convenient but it's important to limit password saving and autofill to trusted computers that are password protected. It can be easy to click “yes” without thinking twice on friends or public computer but this can lead to unauthorized access to your data. Read all prompts clearly before clicking.

 

9:

Never Share Your Pin

 

Your pin code for your debit card is the last line of defense for security to your account. Be sure to hide your pin when entering in public areas such as gas stations and registers. If a potential thief hears or sees your pin it may give them an incentive to try to gather more data leading to a breach.

 

8:

Keep Software up to Date

 

It's important to not ignore software updates to your operating system and antivirus. These updates can protect against new threats and information gathering viruses that may have been developed since the last update. Antivirus companies work around the clock to make sure their software is up to date and providing the best security possible but without updating, your computer may be left vulnerable.

 

7:

Be Careful of “Free” Offers


Most online companies pay to put ads in front of an audience they think will react to their creative ad copy, many times these offers include a “free” downloadable that can be sent to your email. Keep in mind that the purpose of this is to obtain your email address so they can market to you in the future for free. Online ads cost money, email lists are free and are often times not secure and can be sold. Be careful who you give your name and email to.

 

6:

Only Download from Trusted Sources


This is a no brainer that I'm sure you've been told before but cannot be stressed enough. If a website doesn't feel right, avoid it. Malware can often remain unseen and can collect your personal information in the background and send it to a server where the digital thief can use it for malicious purposes. Malware can be packaged with your download and can be installed without you knowing.

 

5:

Never Post Personal Information on Public Pages

 

It may seem harmless to post your phone number to a friend or forum on Facebook™ but it's a good idea to believe everything that is posted on the internet will remain there forever. Websites are scanned and archived by third-party services all the time. Even though you delete a post it does not mean that it has been deleted from the internet. Often times these copies are called “caching” and can be searched through for personal information.

 

4:

Create Unique Passwords

 

It's tempting to want to use the same password for multiple sites but its highly recommended to create a new unique passcode for each individual login. Using the same password may give online thieves an easy pass to all of your information rather than just one specific page if your password is ever revealed. It's also important to note that passwords should not include something that can be easily guessed such as your name or birthday. Secure passwords include letters, numbers, one capital, and a special symbol.

 

3:

Cellphone Security

 

While often overlooked, it's important to have a password lock in your phone in the unfortunate event of theft or loss. This is especially true if you have passwords saved for financial websites. Current phones have made it almost seamless to unlock using a unique code, fingerprint, or even scan of your face. Make good use of these security measures and you can rest assured that your information will be safe, even in the wrong hands.

 

2:

Check Credit Statements

 

This is especially true for those who have signed up for recurring payments and may not be as persistent on checking what recent changes have been made. Checking your credit card statement once a month only takes a few minutes and can quickly identify fraudulent charges that may have gone unnoticed otherwise.

 

1:

Shield RFID Passes and Cards at All Times

 

Recently, thieves have gained the ability to use homemade skimming devices to wirelessly read your credit card information right from inside your wallet without you ever even knowing. This information can then be sold or decoded and loaded onto a blank credit card for malicious use.  Using a Shielded aluminum type wallet such as this one by CarbonKlip blocks access to thieves and acts as a secure vault, keeping your information safe especially in high risk, crowded areas.