A Security Expert Tells Us How To Protect Your Personal Data From Hackers

In this day and age of constant and consistent smartphone use, hacking attempts are just a part of life. Hackers know that many people are conducting all of their business, including online purchasing and banking activity, online. They also know that means figuring out your passwords is the golden ticket to stealing your information and using it or even selling it on the dark web. “With the technological advancements that are happening every day, data grows by the second,” says Stavros Zavrakas, founder of  Orthogonality. “Individuals and large businesses generate data in both structured and unstructured form. Threats such as data breaches are also extremely high. Malicious hackers try to obtain personally identifiable information so as to open a door into your network.”

If nothing feels as threatening to you as the thought of a hacker infiltrating your phone and having access to all of your personal data, the best offense is a strong defense. We spoke with tech experts who clued us in on ways you can protect your personal data from hackers. 

You have to know where you have stored the most personal data before you can ensure it is secure, Zavrakas says.

“Once you know where all your traceable data is, the next step is to secure it,” Zavrakas says. “Make sure that least access is given to files with critical data. Personal data should only be accessed by yourself. With growing technology, you can also use Artificial Intelligence to assess risk and manage it by identifying any data that might be at risk of a breach and figure out if any platform has been accessed by an unauthorized individual.”

Another reminder from Zavrakas: refusing to give someone your credentials or personal information is not rude, it is your responsibility to safeguard your data. “Lastly, if your data is extremely classified you can consider encrypting files to secure sensitive data in emails, spreadsheets, documents, presentations, etc,” Zavrakas says. 

“Hackers target individuals who are not cyber-savvy,” says Jeff Mains, CEO of Champion Leadership Group LLC. “Therefore, it is crucial that you know the basics of cybersecurity. Users familiar with cybersecurity fundamentals, such as not opening attachments from unknown senders, are less likely to fall prey to phishing scams.

“To access your online account with two-factor authentication, you will need to provide additional information, like a code sent to your mobile,” Mains says. “If a hacker obtains your email and password, they will still be unable to access your account without the additional identity verification step.”

Some software upgrades include security patches and fixes to stop hackers from taking advantage of loopholes in the program, according to Mains. “This is why it is crucial to update software, especially your operating system, as zero-day flaws are common ways hackers get access to devices,” Mains says. 

These tips may seem simple — but making these small changes can have a major impact on your tech security outcomes. And it could be the thing that keeps your data protected from hackers.