Data is today’s most valuable asset, as ungraspable and unquantifiable as it may be. Every tech system you look at is interfering with and connecting with your data, storing it in a more or less secure database for further use. There’s rarely an all-size-fits-all solution that can make your data unapproachable since you exist in some online or hardware-stored database, regardless of how low the contact you try to have with the online realm. Thus, it isn’t a matter of how reduced your internet usage or online presence is because such realizations are impossible to achieve. It is rather the tools and techniques you employ to improve your online safety as much as you can that will have you safe and sound, minimizing instances of damaging outcomes after the use of any online tools.

These days, cyber attacks and data breaches are all the norm, which is why more and more people learn how to sue for compensation in instances that had their data fraudulently or unallowably accessed and used. You don’t want to deal with such aftermaths only because you took these ever-growing risks lightly, so let’s see what’s in your power to do to minimize the likelihood of ending up in the position of a cyber attack victim.

Assess third-party risks

The truth is, your vendors aren’t always tackling cyber security with the same wholeheartedness as you, which is why it’s essential to take these matters into your own hands and keep assessing your vendors’ security position to make sure you aren’t subjected to go through data exposures that could hamper your integrity and lead to security vulnerabilities.

A widespread practice of spotting third-party security threats and guaranteeing adherence to regulatory guidelines is the evaluation of your vendor risk, approaching protocols like GDPR, PCI-DSS, and HIPAA, among others. You can compile risk questionnaires from templates depending on the current frameworks, so don’t hesitate to dig deeper into this area for more data protection.

Check out your permissions

Your sensitive and personal information may be vulnerable at the moment, being accessible by users who don’t ask for permission. All permissions need to be checked out to prevent access to undesired, unauthorized users and parties.

Once you’ve established this procedure, every piece of vital data needs to be split into different categories depending on its sensitivity to control access. Only reliable staff with specific prerequisites should have permission to unlock very sensitive information and databases.

Besides this, the privileged access assignment procedure could uncover insiders attempting to subtract sensitive data without permission.

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How to be more low-profile on social platforms?

Despite the preponderance of social platforms among us and the fact that some, like Yahoo and LinkedIn, have become vital in institutions and other inescapable areas, one point is for sure. Social platform accounts may be indispensable communication means, but they’re equally dangerous regarding data leaks and how stored personal and sensitive information is tackled.

It’s not just your family or friends who may see your activity, but shady characters or prospective employers who may be assessing your accounts, too. Thus, it’s essential to shield your accounts and lock down your info to ensure you’re as private as you need. Here are the platforms that everyone’s directly or indirectly using, but not that many know how to handle.

• Facebook

  Facebook is the ubiquitous platform that most people have used at least once in their lifetime. If you’re not sure if you have ever had an account on this social media app, try creating an account with your actual or previously used phone number and see if you’re allowed to register. In case you’re told that your number has already been used, then you know that your phone number is more likely than not linked with a Facebook account.

  That being said, if you’re an active user of Facebook but have never thought about your security and info available, then it may be high time you accessed the field related to settings and privacy.

  In the “settings and privacy” setting, you’ll find most of the options related to the privacy of your account. For instance, in the tab designated to your password, you go to the option that enables 2FA protection and can see the devices that had your account logged onto.

  On the “activity log” page, you can review almost all the activity you’ve had on Facebook, such as attended events, likes, follows, posts, messages, and even messages posted on other friends’ timelines. Suppose you want to delete your previous activity, then you can click on the “edit” tool to review and select what goes to the bin, what transforms into private stuff, and what remains available.

• TikTok

  TikTok is a platform that has risen in popularity and is yet to see its final approaching. Given that it’s continuously improving and attracting new users, more likely than not, you will explore it at some point in your lifetime if you haven’t been yet caught in the peer or social pressure traps.

  Due to the ongoing noise around it, it’s essential to consider some security features. In the tabs designated for “restricted mode”, you can enable the option that will sort all the content that pops up when using TikTok, additionally filtering different keywords, enabling a screen timing limitation, and others.

  At the same time, private accounts obstruct interaction with TikTok account owners selected by you. This is a highly recommendable feature for individuals aged under 18. You can choose to transform your account from public to private and vice-versa, limiting your exposure on the app.

• Google

  As the largest and most used browser, Chrome, it’s almost impossible not to use the services provided by Google at least once in your lifetime. The “privacy check-up” setting may prevent the provider from storing your queries and search results, at the same time blocking it from saving your locations, device info, YouTube history, and other specific data. It’s for you to determine whether your personal info usage by the prominent data provider is unsettling you or not.

Feel free to share other important and valuable tips and settings you have trust in to secure your data in the best way possible!

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