Jul 2018
Protecting Your Online Data
Since its inception, cloud storage has been a great asset to people around the world. By storing data in a cloud service, people can access important information from any device or location. While this service is very useful, there have been concerns about security, since people are worried that their data may be compromised if an outside person gets access to the service.
Many cloud services offer strong protection for their users, but if you want to be certain that your data is safe you can use these tips to secure your account.
Strong Passwords Are Crucial
One of the easiest ways to keep any online account safe is to make sure that its password is as strong as possible. You have to be serious when setting your password, because if it is easy to figure out anyone could get into your account. While crafting your password, try using random words that no one else would be able to guess. You should also capitalize certain letters and add numbers or symbols to make the password harder to guess.
Adding to this, you should also think about changing your password every couple of months. This can be a little tedious, but it adds an extra layer of security just in case someone figures out your old password later down the road. Lastly, make sure you do not share your password with any other people so it does not end up in the wrong hands.
Be Aware of What You Put Online
When you are deciding what data needs to be stored in the cloud, you need to think about what information needs to stay offline. Typically, information that needs to be easily accessed for work should be on the cloud so you can get to it at any location. Any data that is more sensitive, however, should stay off the cloud so it is not at risk of being stolen.
Personal information you should keep offline includes passwords, payment information, and home addresses. Important documents that contain tax information or legal information should also be kept of the cloud. Even if you have the most secure system in place, you need to keep this info off the cloud so you know it will stay safe.
Take Advantage of Data Encryption
Encrypting your data is another way to protect it when it is on a cloud service. This process involves coding stored information in a way that makes it so only certain people can decrypt it. Many online storage services offer local encryption that handles the process for you when you upload your information to the cloud. This process can even keep online administrators away from the data you store.
If you use a cloud service that does not do this automatically, you can encrypt the data yourself before you upload it. There are many online tools that can apply passwords and key sequences to documents before you upload them to the cloud. Using this in conjunction with a cloud service that offers local encryption can add an extra layer of security to your account.
B1 Free Archiver is a great tool to use if you want to encrypt your data before storing it.
Protect Your Computer From Hackers
If you are storing data in the cloud you have to do what you can to keep hackers at bay. Even if you put multiple security measures in place to secure your cloud account, there is not a lot you can do if a hacker gets into your system and accesses your account. You need to take some extra precautions to prevent this kind of thing from happening.
First, make sure you have an effective anti-virus program set up so your computer can effectively fight back if a virus does sneak through. Next, never open any suspicious-looking emails from people you do not recognize, especially if they have attachments. This is one of the many ways that hackers can get into your system to access crucial information.
By protecting your computer from cyber-threats you can keep your data in the cloud safe.