Saturday, Jan. 28 is “National Privacy Data Day”. Jason Strong with AT&T joined us to talk about ways to protect your smart phone.
5 ways to help secure your device:
1. Regularly back up your data and device to avoid any information loss.
2. Consider downloading a virus protection application to enhance your device’s security protections. These applications can help recognize content that might compromise information on your mobile device and help you stay secure.
3. Create a password or PIN to access your device. Use biometric authentication, like a thumbprint to login, where possible.
4. Ensure you set a screen lock after prolonged inactivity.
5. Adhere to the restrictions on your device's system software.
5 ways to better protect yourself online:
1. Create strong, secure passwords for any features that handle messaging, calling, voicemail, or email accessed through a Web browser from your device.
2. Click on links only sent via text or email from a known source.
3. When possible, provide personal information and conduct transactions only when on secure WiFi. When on public WiFi, use these tips to help protect your information.
4. Use a secure wireless network to browse and download applications. Download apps only from trustworthy sources. Using alternatives to your device’s pre-loaded application store can increase the risk of downloading an application that includes a virus.
5. Review permissions requested during app installation, including the app's privacy policy to make sure that it won't share your personal information.
5 ways to get proactive about digital privacy:
1. Connect your mobile device to a private computer or network, versus a public computer or network.
2. Back up important data regularly.
3. Keep your device's operating system and applications up-to-date to ensure you have the latest security patches.
4. Uninstall unused apps.
5. Avoid sharing your mobile device.
Privacy Tips for SMBs:
1. Make sure you have a strong privacy policy – Customers need to know that you’re protecting their information. Make sure you have a policy they can refer to explaining how you are keeping personal information safe.
2. Tell users what you’re collecting and what you’re sharing – Make sure you are straightforward with customers about the consumer data you collect and what you do with it. Being honest with them will help you build consumer trust and show you value their data and are working to protect it.
3. Educate employees – Employees are often the handlers of customer data. They therefore need to be kept up-to-date on how to protect that information to make sure it does not accidentally land in the wrong hands.
4. Use multiple layers of security – Keeping malicious traffic out is as important as preventing attackers from getting in. Install firewalls and spam protections to avoid having malicious links or software sent into your company network.
5. Be smart about authentication – The more valuable information you have, the bigger an attack target you might be. Avoid using social security numbers or other personal information for customer identification, instead opting for passcodes and login identifiers. Additional layers of identification help keep attackers from being able to guess passwords or simulate verified customer users. Activate biometric authentication where possible, using thumbprints or face-recognition as a harder-to-duplicate password alternative.
Overall: Get help! Third party experts are available to help assess your security framework and provide insights on gaps that need to be filled or new procedures to implement to help keep your business protected.
