How to secure database from hackers?
With hacking a real threat, your data is under constant threat. There have been numerous publicized cases that have led to real PR nightmares to companies. People have lost their jobs, and companies have lost their goodwill, thanks to important information leaked by hackers.
Even worse is the hacking of financial data. How do you get back from something like that? So it is always advisable to practice cautionary methods. A security breach is an ailment that is better prevented than cured.
Fortunately, there are some actions you can take right now to secure yourself from surprise attacks from hackers, malware, and other unsavoury internet bad actors.
See also: What is Internet Safety? How can we achieve e-Safety?
8 Tips to Secure Your Data | Data Privacy and Security
1. Privacy Policy
Before giving out your private information to any website, read their privacy policy. Better yet, check if they have one in the first place. Read it carefully, understand what it says. Here’s where you will find out whether the company intends to share your data with a third party, or what they intend to do with your data.
Most of the time, websites will ask for your information like contact number, email address only to share it online for money. You should be aware of how your personal details are shopped around the internet. If you are receiving unsolicited marketing proposals, and product brochures, you can assume your email address was shared online.
Always read the privacy policy. If they don’t have one, then steer clear of it. It is advisable not simply to depend on the privacy policy of a website.
2. Secure Protocols for Data Security and Privacy
It is mandatory to check whether a business your sharing data with follows strict security protocols. You might want to outsource your data entry tasks to an offshore company. The first thing you need to do is check whether they have well-defined security protocols in place.
Check whether they do have SSL certificates and VPN’s in place to protect your data. Even when you’re giving out your information to a foreign website, check whether they padlocked HTTPS signal prefixed to their URL. If they don’t, then it is probably not a good idea to give any information on this website. You will probably regret it. Do the same with your own personal website.
Buy a reputed SSL certificate and VPN that protect your information from invaders.
3. Reliable Word-of-Mouth
When opting for an offshore firm, always go for one with the most goodwill to back up its reputation. Go through their reviews, especially the ones that emphasize the security aspect of their business offering. Always look for reviews outside their website. The reviews found their website can be fabricated and manufactured.
Check reviews on sites like Glassdoor or Google itself to check whether the company is up to the task or not. You can also ask your friends and family for reliable references to trusted firms. All of this will ensure you have a company with no security issues.
4. Backup your data
One of the most basic, yet often overlooked, data protection tips is backing up your data. Basically, this creates a duplicate copy of your data so that if a device is lost, stolen, or compromised, you don’t also lose your important information. It’s best to create a backup on a different device, such as an external hard drive, so that you can easily recover your information when the original device becomes compromised.
See also: Cybercrime a trending issue of Digital World – Cyber Security
5. Install operating system updates
Operating system updates are a gigantic pain for users; it’s the honest truth. But they’re a necessary evil, as these updates contain critical security patches that will protect your computer from recently discovered threats. Failing to install these updates means your computer is at risk.
“No matter which operating system you use, it’s important that you update it regularly. Windows operating systems are typically updated at least monthly, typically on the so-called ‘Patch Tuesday.’ Other operating systems may not be updated quite as frequently or on a regular schedule. It’s best to set your operating system to update automatically.
6. A Strong Password
An obvious tip, but still baffling, is how many simply keep weak passwords that even a nine-year-old can breakthrough. When applying a password, use a word that is completely unfamiliar to you. Your birthday, your daughter’s birthday, your wife’s name are all bad choices for a password.
A cunning mind can easily trespass through the password and access critically sensitive data. So use a password that has numbers, alphabets, and punctuation characters with a mix of lower and upper case characters to really create a strong password.
A strong password is essential to maintain your data privacy and security.
7. Get Your Queries Cleared
If you still have doubts regarding the reliability of a particular firm, then contact them directly. Contact their customer support and personally ask them the question you would like to be answered.
Accept nothing less than straightforward answers to your questions. If you notice them twisting words, then they are hiding something and probably do not have the best intentions in mind.
Ask questions regarding the privacy of your data. Ask how many of their employees will be privy to data that you share with them and also what will happen to your data once your account is closed.
8. The Bottom Line
Data security is the need of the hour. With many offshore companies now offering top-notch services that are delivered under the purview of secure protocols, data protection has become easy. With the above tips, you can hope to keep your data secure against online intruders and keep it safe.
Ensure the safety of your data by staying updated on the new malware and viruses that are threatening the virtual world of the internet. Keep your anti-virus and firewalls updated to protect your data against new and dangerous threats. By following the above tips, you can trade-in your data safely without worries.
See also: What is the Internet of Things Security? Why IoT Security is important?
Let us know what you think about mentioned 8 Data Privacy and Security tips i.e methods of protecting data in the comment section below.
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ABOUT AUTHOR:
Patricia Dolan
Patricia is a Senior Content Marketing Strategist working for Perfect Data Entry, an offshore data entry company that is lauded in the industry for its top-quality outsourcing services and unparalleled price. Company’s various fields like medical, insurance, big commerce product data entry services data entry process help you transform raw data into lucrative leads.
