Technology

Security check 2019

In January of each year I write an article to help you think about your home, electronic and personal security. This year I’m going to spend the majority of this article explaining how to protect yourself after the data breaches of 2018.

2018 was a bad year for the theft of our personal information due to cyber attacks and breaches at many large companies. Therefore, through no fault of his own, his name, email address and passwords were stolen. In some cases, other personal information such as your address, phone number, and even medical information was exposed. This year I think it is very important that you dedicate some time to your electronic security. So what can you do to protect yourself and your data online?

Passwords:

To begin with, each online account must have a unique and separate password. It must be at least 12 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Don’t make it a dictionary word. You’re probably going to say how do I keep track of all these new passwords? The answer is a good password manager, there are many. I use DashLane to find one that you like and it will make your life so much easier. They work on all platforms and devices, like your smartphone, tablet, and desktop.

Two-factor authentication:

This is where after entering your unique password, the site will send a code to your smartphone via text message or email. You will then enter that code on the site to access. This code is only active for a short period of time. You should use this on all financial sites at a minimum. If you use Facebook or Instagram a lot, take a good look at the information they have posted about you. Try looking at that information like a bad boy would, you might be surprised at what you find.

This year I spent a lot of time telling you how to protect yourself after the data breaches of 2018. Before I finish this article, I want to make sure that everyone travels safely, especially if they leave the United States. Always leave your itinerary with someone at home, along with copies of your passport and driver’s license. Buy travel insurance that can help pay for any medical emergencies or emergency transportation back home. And finally, be aware of where you are, if your instinct tells you no, don’t go.

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