by Nigel Hilton

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

One of the biggest worries when it comes to sharing data online is whether or not you’re keeping it safe. Whether you’re sharing your bank details to purchase something or you’re logging into your email account, you need to be sure everything you’re sharing online is well-protected. Whilst it may seem impossible at first, there are lots of different things you can do to ensure you’re using the internet in a safe way. With that in mind, here are some tips and tricks to help protect your data online: 

• Be Careful What You Download

One of the best things you can to help protect your data online is to be wary of what you download. Whilst you may need to download items in order to work, you need to be sure what you’re downloading is completely safe. Although 90% of the time it will be absolutely fine, downloads have been known to carry viruses that can help hackers steal your information. To help prevent this, you can use these tips here. 

• Use A Trusted Web Browser 

If you want to ensure the data you enter online is safe, using a trusted web browser is the best place to start. Whilst you may feel the each and every web browser should already be safe, some of them just don’t have as much security as other’s do. The best thing to do is research the browsers you tend to use to find out just how safe they are. If you’re unsure what browser to use, you can visit this site here. 

• Make Sure You Have Antivirus Software

Another great way to ensure your data is kept safe online is to download an antivirus software onto your device. Although you can get a number of these for free, the best thing to do is invest in one that can help protect absolutely everything. Once you have one downloaded and ready to go, make sure you’re using it to its full potential. Not only does this mean scanning for viruses at least once a month, but also protecting the files that you store on your computer. 

• Know Your Rights

When it comes to data there are a lot of laws to consider, especially if you’re a business. Whilst you may not be aware of your rights when it comes to data protection, it is important you’re brushing up in order to know when you should and shouldn’t give vital details about your life. If you’re business, for example, you need to know whether or not you’re sticking to DFARS compliance laws. 

• Make Your Passwords Hard To Guess And Store Them Some Place Safe

Finally, you need to be sure you’re making your passwords hard to guess, otherwise, people will easily be able to get into some of your most important online accounts. Consider using a phrase or a mixture of letters that do not form a word as this will be much harder for a hacker to guess. 

Do you struggle when it comes to cyber security? What can you do to ensure your data is kept as safe as it can be online? Let me know in the comments section below.