As more and more of human life has transitioned to digital spaces, it has become increasingly important to think about how you protect your own data as well as that of your workplace. While technology is being developed every day by threat intelligence providers to fight against the fraudulent behaviors of unscrupulous individuals on the internet, the myriad ways in which your data can be stolen from you are still an ever-present risk.
The problem is that many users never give threat intelligence a second thought, not knowing that things as innocuous changing to a new device can put a lot of your information at risk. However, it is not just private citizens at risk; many businesses have come to rely on their data as an integral part of their operations.
The three areas of data protection
Cyber threat intelligence is more than just virus protection and passwords. More than software, it involves creating a series of habits that ensures the protection of your data. Many threat intelligence providers do note that the weakest part of any security system is the human element, so it is important to remain vigilant as private individuals.
That being said, the three major areas of data protection are:
- Data security, which includes bank account numbers, TANs, PINs, social security numbers, and so on;
- Viruses, malware, and so on;
- Hardware failure protection.
As you can see, permanent data storage is an element of data protection as well. While there are plenty of cloud-based solutions, such as Dropbox and Google Drive, this also raises a few concerns in terms of security. Each of these areas of security has an intricate relationship with the other that must be kept in careful balance.
Some data protection tips and tricks
One of the most heavily repeated pieces of security advice for private individuals is to never repeat the same password twice. Using the same password for multiple accounts is a recipe for disaster, and something that many hackers and criminals are all too willing to exploit.
If your password was leaked from one website, then it should be easy enough for cyber criminals to log into your email, your PayPal, and your bank accounts. They might even manage to access your company accounts, putting the information of clients and stakeholders at risk. As such, it is important to vary your passwords as much as you can. This might seem like a lot of passwords to remember, but it is most certainly beneficial.
Another thing you have to do is to make sure that your passwords are secure on their own. This involves your password not containing any personal or public information, being made up of many symbols, and so on. It is also important to regularly change these words from time to time.
Finally, if it is possible, activate two-factor authentication. Even if your password gets leaked, a hacker would still have to get a hold of your phone before they gain access to your accounts. Not only that, but you will be alerted to possible login attempts, which means you can respond in real time to hacking attempts into your accounts.
Final thoughts
Threat intelligence is as much a habit as it is an investment in the right software. Certainly, the right software can add layers upon layers of protection, but if the human element in your security—you—are not informed about how to keep your data safe, these will fail to be effective.
If you’re looking for a threat intelligence provider, send us at FraudWatch International a message. We can help create systems that protect your data even from the most advanced hacking attempts.