5 Helpful Techniques to Protect Your Digital Information

Hackers and other digital threats in the cyber world are getting more rampant as we are all approaching the digital or information age. It is undeniable, anyway, how computers have made a huge impact on societies and communities for the professionals to process data, information, and other digital activities for executing it efficiently, along with ethics and confidence.

Due to this happening, data privacy was sought to be protected as the information landscape is getting more diverse despite its inclusivity. One of the dilemmas that relate to this area is that the data that we keep are sometimes vulnerable to data theft; leaving the integrity of data compromised. What is worse is that beyond the deterioration of integrity of the data, its confidentiality, and even availability could be affected. Hence, it is quite essential for us to know how we could preserve the privacy of data and information we have online through some techniques. For you to know these techniques, dive into this blog:

1. Obtain File Protection

The first thing we should know is that files could be altered and manipulated when not protected. As we are all confident that no one can get the files that we have on our personal computers or laptops, the phishing and pharming skills of hackers are becoming more strategic in their ways on how they could fool you to get your personal and confidential files. Data privacy and protection is indeed a must so we should be aware of all the areas that the hackers could find as an opportunity for them to get what they want. File protection or encryption is one of the best ways for you to achieve it.

You should know how to protect your files by having some encryption or authentication methods. Fortunately, there are tools online that you can use for free. PDFBear’s protect PDF feature is a great tool that can convert your viewable PDF document into a protected and encrypted one. As you have the ability to upload your file into this tool, you can create your desired password for your file right away. After doing it, you can now ensure your file is 100% encrypted. If you are doubting the credibility of the tool, the website is using a secured SSL connection during the uploading of your PDF file from your local hard drive to them. The website is making sure that the interoperability of the tool is achieved for it to be supported and operated in various types of operating systems such as Windows and Linux. By using this online tool, you are ensuring the integrity and safety of your confidential data and information that your files contain, all for free.

2. Update Operating System

As your operating system (OS) is updating its features, it is likely to happen that its security systems are also upgrading. Updating your operating system will improve the features and defenses that it has against harmful or malicious software such as viruses and spyware. The idea is that the older operating system versions could contain security vulnerabilities and loopholes that should be addressed by the updated one. So the next time your device says that its operating system is updating, you might feel bad. But this action is necessary for the better stability of your device and hence, the files that it contains, including those confidential and restricted ones.

3. Use Encrypted Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is indeed ideal for convenient storing of digital files and documents as it does not use hard drives that could be stolen, damaged, and corrupted. What makes cloud storage extra ideal is that they offer encryption wherein you can only access the files that you have uploaded to your account. As you are securing these files, you should also be aware that some cloud storage service provider holds the encryption keys themselves, making them eligible for your data and information from the files that you have uploaded. Hence, on choosing the cloud storage, find one that uses encryption and maintains strong internal controls while at the same time, upholding its integrity and credibility in offering and providing an ethical and safe service for the clientele.

4. Create Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are usually those that have a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Creating strong passwords is such an ideal strategy when doing encryption so that you could truly assure that no one could ever guess it. Strong passwords also mean having a long combination of symbols and alphanumeric characters as short ones could be caught easily by hackers. Also take note that you should never save your passwords on the websites that you use, on the public computer or devices, and even on your personal computer. Do not also send it to any emails or type on any suspicious websites. Having different passwords on each account that you use is also ideal to prevent the domino effect. Considering a password management application is advisable if you want to remember them all but it is better you would remember them all.

5. Encrypt Your Devices

It is a written rule that you should encrypt your personal computer but along with that, also encrypt your mobile phones and hard drives so that you can still protect the local files that it contains once it is being stolen or lost. As having encryption for files is ideal, make sure you are also applying it to your devices for you to be prepared for unwanted circumstances that could happen. Knowing that some hackers have knowledge on how to remove the applied encryption in the device, it is also essential that your files are encrypted beforehand. Thus, aside from encrypting your devices, make sure that all the confidential files on your portable devices are also encrypted.

Conclusion

Living in the information age is also living in the epoch wherein information theft is possible. As hackers are using technology for them to achieve their agenda, the solution should be technological and digital too. Broaden your knowledge about cybersecurity by starting on taking note of the strategies mentioned above.