Despite the fact that companies are already trading with our personal data, the European Data Protection Committee (ECDC) is against turning personal data into a commodity subject to the market of supply and demand, arguing that it is a fundamental right of citizens.
Thus, to help users protect their data on the Internet we offer ten tips to surf safely and protect your data on the Internet:
1. Protect your data with a password
It is the first basic rule of data protection and online security: protect your data with a secure password. For this purpose, it is recommended that it has different characters, numbers, and upper and lower case letters and that passwords are not repeated. In addition, experts recommend not using the names of loved ones or dates of birth, as this information is very easy for hackers to guess.
2. Install an antivirus
It is another of the basic rules to guarantee the safe use of the Internet but it must be a complete and updated antivirus. An antivirus not only protects against unsafe pages or fake e-mails but also helps to protect personal information online and offline.
3. Make a backup copy
This is another of the tips that experts offer when it comes to protecting our data. Although in this case, it is rather to avoid losing them in the case of being a victim of theft or loss. Thus, if you make a backup copy of the content on the computer, you will have a duplicate copy of everything and the loss will be less.
4. Use an external hard drive
Another option for securing personal data is to get an external hard drive that provides a higher level of security, especially protected with software that only allows the user to access their data with a secure password.
5. Install the necessary updates
Keeping your computer and applications up to date is key to the proper functioning of programs and applications, as well as keeping your data secure. Thus, having the most updated version of the operating system also allows the user to have maximum protection.
6. Be careful when using a public wifi network
This is something that many users do not know but, there is a great risk when using a public wifi network, outside the home or at work. This practice has specific risks such as hackers being able to position themselves between the user and the access point, thus breaking the security of the network. Thus, as a user, you are sending data directly to the hacker.
7. Use a VPN network
To avoid the problems of Wi-Fi networks, technological improvements offer a new way to connect to the Internet securely: VPN networks. This service is usually paid for, but it ensures the correct use of a commercial or private network if you are traveling. This will prevent anyone from accessing your data. While Windows VPNs are easy to find online, finding a reliable VPN for Linux can be more challenging. Remember that working with a reliable VPN provider is the golden rule.
8. Do not open emails from suspicious senders
Hackers often use email to gain access to our computers and, ultimately, to our data. That is to say, if you receive an email with an incomplete or suspicious address, do not open the email or the attached files.
In this case, many of the fake emails tend to be apparently from banks. Therefore, if you are in doubt, it is best to contact the bank to check whether it is an official communication or whether, on the contrary, it is a fake email.
9. Protect your access data
Access data to social networks and other digital platforms, whether video or shopping, are yours and you must protect them. Avoid making your username, registration email, or passwords accessible to other users, and use passwords that are difficult to disguise.
10. Be careful when publishing personal information
Social networks are public and almost anyone, without even being your friend, can access your content without your knowledge. Therefore, you should keep a close eye on the photos you upload or the comments you post, as well as the privacy settings to prevent anyone from knowing details of your private life that could lead to more serious problems in the future.
Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Maity
The Internet has advantages and disadvantages both you need to be careful about your personal information and protect it. By following the above simple tips, you can secure your privacy on the internet. Indeed, in today’s era we should use VPN network to protect our privacy.