The dangers of hacking and data theft are increasing as the world becomes increasingly connected. One fundamental way to protect your data is to encrypt it, but not everyone knows the difference between a sound encryption system and a bad one. Nowadays, people must be cognizant of the threats that assault their digital privacy. But what if you're not the target of a cyber attack? What if you're seeking to protect your data and not be tracked online? There's a growing market of services that can help your family and friends protect their online privacy, too.

What Is Data Security?

Data security is the act of keeping data safe from people who would try to use it in ways you don't want them to. This may include employees and other people who are given access to a computer system and its data. Data security may consist of measures to prevent unauthorized access to network resources, such as disk storage, or prevent unauthorized modification to data on a networked system. It may also include the use of encryption to protect data transmitted over a network. Companies are constantly looking for the best way to store data so that it remains safe. Unfortunately, data security on the internet is a moving target. Many years ago, the data security landscape was a lot simpler, with encrypted data stored on servers secured behind a firewall. This approach is that a firewall can only protect a single server and the data it contains. So a hacker would have to attack the firewall first to gain access to that server, often giving them enough information to attack other servers and ultimately gain access to the data. 

Best Ways To Keep Your Data Secure

Whether it's through ransomware or infected devices, the internet is a dangerous place for your information. You can, however, secure your data by taking a few simple steps.
1. Install Anti Malware Protection Software
Malware is malicious software intended to harm the system or a user and is currently one of the most significant threats to online security and ransomware. Because malware is an increasing threat, coupled with the fact that You can install malware on virtually any device, there is a new wave of malware detectors on the market. The best method to protect against this type of threat is to use special Malware protection software.
The purpose of an anti-malware application is to eliminate malware from a computer system. While anti-malware programs may share some similarities with antivirus programs, they are not the same thing. In addition to adding advanced features, anti-malware programs cover a more comprehensive range of threats. There are threats that antivirus can't tackle, such as spyware and spam.
2. Use A Virtual Private Network
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are often used by IT professionals who securely connect to remote networks. While their most common use is remote access, they are also used for more advanced steps to ensure security. You can use a VPN, for example, to encrypt all communication traffic using a public wireless network. Or you can use it to encrypt all communication traffic when using a shared computer such as an Internet Cafe or other public space.
3. Backup Your Data
If you don't already back your data up consistently, you should begin immediately. If your system is breached and your data stolen or deleted, a backup allows you to wipe the system and start from where you left off. The best strategy is known as the 3-2-1 technique:
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4. Use Secure Passwords

A weak password is one of the easiest ways to get hacked. Occasionally you hear about a company that suffered because of a stolen password, but in most cases, companies don't truly understand how many people are affected by password failures. The sheer number of passwords used every day is impossible to remember, but there are tools available to make life easier. By not using a password manager, you're probably making it easier for anyone to access your sensitive information. 
Using password managers, you only need to remember one password rather than multiple for accessing sensitive websites or services. Encryption is used to keep your passwords safe. A brute-force attack has an extremely low probability of success because they use AES 256-bit, meaning cracking this cipher an impossible task.

5. Install A Firewall

Firewalls separate internal networks from external ones. Firewalls protect computers from hacking, tampering, and abuse by malicious users and are often used to control access to resources such as databases. Firewalls also provide security by restricting the flow of traffic between internal and external networks.

6. Use A Secure Cloud Service

If you use a cloud service for business or personal use, ensure it adheres to the best safety protocols. This can mean:
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Moreover, you should check the physical location of the data center where you will store your information. Even though it seems like a minor point, it is much more significant than people realize. Every country has laws regulating data and how it can be accessed and used. If your data is stored in a country that reduces access or is known to steal data, you could find yourself in trouble.
Data is the lifeblood of the world these days, and hackers know this. However, by taking a few simple steps, you can keep your data secure from those wishing to profit from it or use it against you.

WRITTEN BY

Daria Brown