In our digital age, where everything we do is somehow linked to the internet, avoiding data breaches is critical. The first thing we do in the morning is check our phones for notifications and spend some time on them before getting up and doing something else. A data breach is a threat that can damage your life's work and business, and it can be far more than a passing hazard.
When it comes to data breaches, any organization, individual, or even government can face such dangers, and if your sensitive data or personal information is revealed, you could face serious consequences.
A data breach can have a significant impact on your organization. If sensitive data is leaked or someone gains access to a company's secrets, it can harm the company's brand and potentially cripple the firm. Many businesses have been the victims of data breaches. Hackers or cybercriminals can gain access to you via several channels, such as Bluetooth, SMS text, or the internet that you are utilizing.
The Internet is a platform where everyone does something. Some people use the internet for leisure, while others use it for gaming, and still others use it for work.
What causes a data breach?
Data breaches occur as a result of several nefarious ways used by hackers to get access to your device and sensitive data. The following are some of the techniques employed by hackers.
Wi-Fi in public places
Using a public Wi-Fi hotspot is very prevalent in the United States because there are numerous locations where public Wi-Fi hotspots are available. Using public Wi-Fi can lead to a data breach because the data is not secured, and once your device connects to the Wi-Fi, anyone can simply read your data and take control of your device.
Inadequate qualifications
The bulk of data breaches occur because users do not value their credentials. They left a pattern, which allows the hacker to gain access to your device and account. Setting the date of birth as a password is one of these practices.
Phishing attempts
Hackers trick internet users into clicking unsecure links, and once you open the link, hackers have access to your device. Hackers typically send phishing emails in order to get access to your device. This is the most typical approach for gaining access to your personal data, which could result in a significant loss.
How to Avoid Data Breaches in the Digital Age
1. Getting an internet security suit
When purchasing internet service, make sure to purchase an internet security package as this will help in encrypting your data and making it difficult for hackers to access your personal information. Purchasing an internet security suite will benefit both businesses and individual users. Many internet service providers, such as Spectrum, provide an internet security package. You will receive a free internet security suite, which will assist you in securing the device. That security package will protect your data path and your device from unauthorized users and phishing attempts. Make sure you acquire an internet security suite, even if it costs extra.
Many organizations charge a premium for an internet security suite, but you must recognize that this is critical for your security. You don't want to lose your personal information, believe me. It causes major damage, so make sure you acquire services from any internet service provider that gives security and safety to avoid any damage.
2. Make use of a VPN.
In the digital age, the most secure way to preserve your privacy is to use a virtual private network (VPN). Consider it a connection between your device and the internet. This tunnel is protected by armor such as SSL security and other privacy protections, ensuring that no one can track your online actions.
According to a Mashable article, "VPNs are a method for consumers to reclaim some control." "Keep in mind that your ISP has access to all of your information and activities due to your IP address." You can avoid your ISP and hide your internet activity by changing your IP address. A VPN allows you to achieve this by routing your traffic through its own servers."
VPN services are available for anyone, not just those in the commercial sector. Find a great individual VPN to meet your daily browsing needs, and enjoy unlimited security.
3. Secure your email.
Email encryption is most commonly used by corporations that frequently send sensitive information, but an increasing number of people are using it to safeguard their privacy. When encryption is enabled, the information is scrambled for anyone other than the authorized sender and recipient, so even if a hacker had access to your data, they would be unable to read it.
Email encryption can be easily added into your existing email address and is best utilized when sending sensitive information such as credit card or social security numbers.
4. Conduct periodic vulnerability evaluations
Companies should do regular vulnerability assessments to ensure that their systems are secure. Many businesses also have a data integrity department that examines vulnerabilities on a regular or periodic basis, such as once a year or once a month. However, it should not be extended because this provides hackers time to understand the new patterns used by security teams.
5. Be wary of phishing scams.
The majority of breaches are caused by human mistake. You should be wary of phishing emails and links and should never click on them; this includes anything from someone with whom you are unfamiliar or who you do not trust. Never open any email from an unknown sender because it may result in a data breach. Report any suspicious behavior, such as emails and links, to your security staff so that they can take appropriate action.
6. Create strong passwords and update them frequently.
The average internet user falls short when it comes to creating secure passwords that preserve your privacy. According to one study, 86 percent of internet account passwords are "bad" because they are easy to guess. A version of 1234567, qwerty, password, abc123, and repeated numerals are the most frequent passwords.
Your best defense against brute force hacking efforts is a strong password. Every difficult component, such as a distinctive character or capital letter, offers an extra degree of security to your online accounts.
Change your passwords on a regular basis. To prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, several firms ask their employees to change their passwords on a regular basis.
Although a monthly password change may not be necessary for your personal information, consider a change at least once per year.
7. Be cautious of public Wi-Fi.
While public Wi-Fi is convenient, it poses a significant privacy risk. Approximately 60% of individuals say they use public Wi-Fi on a regular basis, whether it's at a hotel or a coffee shop.
Hacking on public Wi-Fi is quite simple. Anyone can learn how to do it by viewing YouTube videos with millions of views. They may attempt a "man in the middle" or "evil twin" assault to gain access to data as it goes from your device to the server.
Unless you have a VPN, be extremely cautious while connecting to public Wi-Fi. A VPN will protect you from amateur hackers, allowing you to access public Wi-Fi without fear of security breaches.
8. Adhere to the concept of least privilege (POLP).
In other words, keep the number of persons who have access to your accounts to a minimum. Too many administrators raises the danger of human mistake and exposes your devices to hackers searching the web for such an opportunity.
"Do not enter onto a computer with administrator credentials unless absolutely necessary to conduct specified operations," Indiana University researchers stated on Twitter. "Running your computer as an administrator (or as a Power User in Windows) exposes it to security threats and attacks... When performing responsibilities as an administrator, always use secure processes."
9. Make software updates automatic.
Contrary to popular opinion, software developers do not wait until their product is flawless before exposing it to the public. Rather, they come as near as they can with the intention of always working on addressing privacy and security gaps and fixing bugs once it's released. These fixes are sent in the form of patches and updates.
This makes regular software updates critical for protecting your data and accounts. You won't even have to think about this if you use automatic updating.
10. Encryption and backup
Make sure your gadgets are encrypted and that you are regularly backing up your data to a secure cloud service so that if your device is hacked, your data is safe.
Conclusion
If sensitive data falls into the wrong hands, it can do major harm to you and your organization, as well as have a significant influence on your company's reputation. There are several examples of the harm done by data breaches, hackers, and cybercriminals, all of whom are prevalent nowadays. The repercussions of failing to take protection against these malevolent acts will be disastrous. Take all necessary security procedures to ensure your safety and avoid being a victim of cybercrime.
