A sound online security strategy is essential to protect your company and its customers. It is also crucial to keep trust and a positive image. If sensitive information is not protected appropriately, it could be accessed by the wrong people, leading go to website to financial loss, regulatory fines and reputational damage.
Data breaches can impact anyone, from individuals to large companies. Data stolen from a computer can be used for identity theft, phishing scams, corporate or government espionage, and ransomware attacks.
The encryption of your data is the most effective method of protecting it online. This includes data in the state of rest, meaning your documents, email and other stored files. Encrypting information ensures that only you have access to it and that no other person can read it even if they intercepted your transmissions.
It is also important to be aware of the websites you visit and how they collect your information. Many popular websites now allow you to control the amount of personal information they collect. You can opt out of the tracking feature on Facebook and Twitter and configure your browser to not save usernames and passwords.
Make sure to backup your data. Place the backup in a safe place away from your primary workplace and then secure it if you can. If you do have a fire or flood your data will be protected. The EFF’s Firefox Privacy Badger, which is used by Chrome and Opera, can help. It monitors your browsing habits and blocks ads trackers.