Now, more than ever, we need our data to be secure online. As the years go by and technology advances, so does the skill and techniques of hackers.
The fact is if a hacker can find their way into government computers and information, the info you store on your trusty Mac is also up for grabs.
And while there are ways to protect and secure your online data, such as the cloud, it isn't foolproof. However, it's not all doom and gloom.
There are steps that you can take to make your online data safe. Read on to find out five of the best ways to do so.
1. Get Serious About Passwords
The first and one of the most important step to take is getting serious about the passwords that you use.
You probably read the above line and thought: "Well, obviously" but answer this question: for many of your accounts do you use the same password? If you answered anything other than zero, you are doing something wrong.
The thing is, even if your password is the most jumbled impossible thing to guess, simply having it secure more than one account puts you in all kinds of danger; if one is compromised, all of them will be too.
So don't just create a secure password, create several and use password protectors to help you to remember and store them.
Tool: Random & Strong Password Generator
2. Two Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication simply means that there are two modes which are being used by a site, such as Dropbox, before allowing the user entry.
So instead of just username and password, a unique code or a personal question will also be required, available to you through a text message to your phone at the time of login. This is the best way to not only deter hackers but also to stop them dead in their tracks.
Even if they somehow manage to get your login information, they won't have the unique code and their access will be denied.
If they attempt to guess your unique code, you will be warned, and you can change all of your credentials, protecting your data in the process.
3. Avoid Storing Sensitive Information
You have probably read news stories about celebrities cloud accounts getting hacked and their sensitive information getting leaked to the public.
While there is no defense for such a horrible act, the fact remains that if you don't store any confidential information, hackers won't be able to get to it.
So, do your best to avoid storing data that you don't want strangers to see.
4. Encrypt
Encryption is by far one of the most tried and tested ways to protect your online data.
Many people are put off by encryption because it requires a lot of effort on the user's side, but being able to ensure that your credentials are incredibly hard to procure is worth that effort.
If you have a file you want to move to a cloud, you can use a software that will create a password for that specific file. When you move that file into the cloud, no one can see the content without a password, which is why encryption is invaluable.
5. Use Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware
When it comes to staying safe online, you need several tools in your arsenal, and if one of those tools shows even a hint of weakness, it could affect your whole system.
For example, you could use the best cloud service, but if your anti-spyware and anti-virus protection isn't up to scratch, you are still open to attacks.
Research various options and make sure you choose the correct software for your computer and laptop and download it before doing anything else.
Conclusion:
Above are five crucial steps to take when securing your online data, so as well as backing up and only using strong sites that use encryption, make sure that you start using these five simple tricks to always keep your information safe.