6 Tips That Will Help You Secure Your Electronic Data

Information and knowledge have always been of utmost importance to mankind. Our brains are made to learn things from other people and use that information. We store information in ways so others can access it and learn something. We do not inherit the much information that our ancestors have learned, we need to take time and learn it again. This is why securing data is very important, so it does not get lost with time.

6 Tips That Will Help You Secure Your Electronic Data

When information gets lost or destroyed, we are at a smaller or bigger setback. Just remember the burning of the library of Alexandria, we lost so much in such a short period of time. They had the first blueprints for a working steam engine, and it was lost. However, now we know not to repeat the mistakes from the past, here are 6 tips on securing your electronic data.

  1. Hard drive

    Backing up your data to a hard drive is one of the best ways of securing your data. You will have a physical copy with the life expectancy of around 5 years and more with good care. The most significant benefit of a hard drive is that it does not depend on a network. It is a physical item in your possession and you are the only master of your hard drive. The life of a hard drive is quite fascinating if you take a closer look at it.

  2. Encryption

    Encryption is still the best way to lock your data from snooping eyes. By encrypting your data on a physical hard drive, you are protecting your data on a new level. Even if you end up losing or someone steals your hard drive, you will be the only person with the key.

    Breaking encryption is still impossible until quantum computers get an upgrade. Until then, good encryption is next to impossible to crack down thus making your data safe. It is like making a lock with a key that is impossible to mold due to a lot of hidden traps.

  3. Shut down

    Electronic data is safest when you train software to recognize regular and irregular activities. If the software recognizes chaotic and hectic actions, it can undergo a forced shutdown. By training your software to recognize such activities, you are adding a good barrier of protection. That way, if your data is stored on your desktop and someone gets in, they are not staying long. With this forced shutdown, they are not getting another chance of getting in.

  4. Cloud

    Clouds are great for storing data automatically and without thinking about it. If you run a business, you can not put all your data on one single hard drive, or more of them. This is why clouds are popular because they offer a fast and cheap solution.

    Compared to a server room, there is a lot less maintenance work going on. Cloud security is still top-notch, but there is one thing wrong. The data is not in your hands, it exists securely, but somewhere far away from you in someone else’s hands.

  5. Remember

    Your data is safe and sound only if you remember to make it that way. You need to be aware of the dangers that come when your data is not protected. No matter if it is just some private data or you have a small business, it is at risk. Hackers target everyone, and common people are the easiest prey. This is why it is important to secure your data and remember to do it one way or the other.

  6. Suspicious websites

    Everyone knows that shady links are a big no-no. However, even just visiting a certain website can be quite dangerous. Even if you do not interact with the website, it can still get inside your system and data. You may know these facts, but your employees may not be aware of the danger. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so make sure there are no such weak links within your employees.

Gold ligh beams

These 6 tips were chosen because they are bulletproof when it comes to securing electronic data. It is not hard to implement any of these tips, yet all of them are quite powerful. Even just by applying one of these tips, you will secure your data on a whole new level. It is important to read about such protection and stay up-to-date if you want top protection.

We live in a world that is changing quite rapidly, it is changing at an alarming rate. These kinds of discussions on electronic data were impossible to imagine even just 20 years ago. Technology and our needs have changed a lot during this short time span, it is time to adhere to these changes.

Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search Search engine.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.

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Online Threat Alerts Security Tips

Pay the safest way

Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.

Guard your personal information

In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.

Be careful of the information you share

Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with

Know who you’re dealing with

Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.

Check your accounts

Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.

Don’t believe promises of easy money

If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.

Do not open email from people you don’t know

If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.

Think before you click

If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.

Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond

If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.

Be careful with links and new website addresses

Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.

Secure your personal information

Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.

Stay informed on the latest cyber threats

Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.

Use Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are critical to online security.

Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs

Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.

Update the operating systems on your electronic devices

Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.

What if You Got Scammed?

Stop Contact With The Scammer

Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.

Secure Your Finances

  • Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
  • Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:

Check Your Computer

If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.

Change Your Account Passwords

Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.

Report The Scam

Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.

Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:

  • Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
  • Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
  • Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.

How To Recognize a Phishing Scam

Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.

Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:

Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might

  • say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
  • claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
  • say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
  • include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
  • want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
  • say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
  • offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real

About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)

Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.

By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.

With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.

Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.

Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).

6 Tips That Will Help You Secure Your Electronic Data