If you are like most people, you probably see your doctor at least once a year to make sure that you’re healthy and that no major health problems have popped up. Yet while you’re busy making sure that your heart and lungs are in good working order, have you given much thought to your privacy? When you get busy with your daily life, seamlessly transitioning between your mobile device and your desktop computer, using Wi-Fi at home and on the go, and keeping in touch and sharing your every thought on social media, it’s easy to become complacent. You assume that your privacy settings are where you left them, that they are working, and that your data is safe. You forget about that time when you unlocked your home Wi-Fi so your cousin could log on while he was visiting, or that you haven’t changed your email password for at least two years.
The fact is, most people don’t think about their privacy and locking down their accounts until something happens. It’s not until hackers access their email or bank account, or spam starts appearing on their Facebook newsfeed that they realize they need to make some changes.
You can avoid those problems, though, by staying on top of your security and privacy settings. And the easiest way to do this is to schedule a “privacy checkup” to review your current settings and fix anything that’s putting you at risk. In less than an hour, you can prevent a potential breach that will put your money, your reputation, and your identity at risk.
The fact is, most people don’t think about their privacy and locking down their accounts until something happens. It’s not until hackers access their email or bank account, or spam starts appearing on their Facebook newsfeed that they realize they need to make some changes.
You can avoid those problems, though, by staying on top of your security and privacy settings. And the easiest way to do this is to schedule a “privacy checkup” to review your current settings and fix anything that’s putting you at risk. In less than an hour, you can prevent a potential breach that will put your money, your reputation, and your identity at risk.
Password Protocols
By now, you’ve probably heard the warnings: Your password isn’t cutting it anymore. And despite the warnings, more than half all adults admit to using the same password for most, if not all, of their accounts, and about a quarter of people still use easy-to-remember passwords like birthdays and pet names.
At the same time, it’s impractical to develop strong, unique passwords for every account — and expect to remember them. Some experts recommend using your strongest passwords for your highest value accounts: Your bank account, home router, credit cards, email, and social media. It’s also a good idea to implement two-factor authentication; if you use a computer for work, for example, a two-factor authentication solution that employs a token or one-time use codes will help protect your device’s data from prying eyes.
App Allowances
It’s 9 p.m. — do you know what your apps are doing? As part of your privacy review, take some time to review the permissions that your mobile device’s apps require. Terms may change over time, and you may have just accepted the changes without realizing what you’re agreeing to. Check all of your apps to ensure that not only do you have the latest versions, but that you haven’t granted unnecessary permissions that put your privacy at risk.
Social Media Shakedown
Facebook recently announced a privacy checkup tool that walks users though their privacy settings to see who they are posting to, which apps have access to their profiles, and which personal information is visible to others. Take some time to use this tool and examine your profile. You might be surprised at how many apps have access to your profile — things you clicked on years ago and never thought about again.
While you’re checking your Facebook profile, take a few moments to check your other social media profiles, including Twitter and LinkedIn. Change your passwords, enable two-factor authentication when available, and review the information that others can see — especially strangers.
Taking the time to perform a privacy checkup every few months can save a lot of time and aggravation down the road should a hacker try to steal your information.
By now, you’ve probably heard the warnings: Your password isn’t cutting it anymore. And despite the warnings, more than half all adults admit to using the same password for most, if not all, of their accounts, and about a quarter of people still use easy-to-remember passwords like birthdays and pet names.
At the same time, it’s impractical to develop strong, unique passwords for every account — and expect to remember them. Some experts recommend using your strongest passwords for your highest value accounts: Your bank account, home router, credit cards, email, and social media. It’s also a good idea to implement two-factor authentication; if you use a computer for work, for example, a two-factor authentication solution that employs a token or one-time use codes will help protect your device’s data from prying eyes.
App Allowances
It’s 9 p.m. — do you know what your apps are doing? As part of your privacy review, take some time to review the permissions that your mobile device’s apps require. Terms may change over time, and you may have just accepted the changes without realizing what you’re agreeing to. Check all of your apps to ensure that not only do you have the latest versions, but that you haven’t granted unnecessary permissions that put your privacy at risk.
Social Media Shakedown
Facebook recently announced a privacy checkup tool that walks users though their privacy settings to see who they are posting to, which apps have access to their profiles, and which personal information is visible to others. Take some time to use this tool and examine your profile. You might be surprised at how many apps have access to your profile — things you clicked on years ago and never thought about again.
While you’re checking your Facebook profile, take a few moments to check your other social media profiles, including Twitter and LinkedIn. Change your passwords, enable two-factor authentication when available, and review the information that others can see — especially strangers.
Taking the time to perform a privacy checkup every few months can save a lot of time and aggravation down the road should a hacker try to steal your information.