Being Privacy Aware in an Ever-Changing Tech Landscape

With the record-setting numbers of data breaches and compromised consumer records, you might think becoming a victim is inevitable. If you can’t control whether or not someone breaks into a major network or leaves a vast database of customer data unsecured online, then you can’t control things like identity theft, either…right?

Not exactly. Obviously, preventing large-scale data breaches is out of the consumers’ hands, and there are treasure troves of stolen credentials available to criminals on the dark web. But that kind of activity isn’t the only way that individuals’ information is leaked online. Sometimes, our everyday tech behaviors can put our personal identifiable information and financial information at risk of theft.

Data Privacy Day (DPD), officially hosted the National Cybersecurity Alliance is an international effort held annually on Jan. 28 to create awareness about the importance of respecting privacy, safeguarding data and enabling trust.

There is perhaps no better way to kick off your new year than by taking part in the various events surrounding this important day. You can get involved by sharing content with a local group at a community center, get a better understanding of the issues, or simply setting aside some time in your day to take stock of your own cybersecurity strengths and weaknesses.

Of course, you don’t have to wait to begin working towards better data protection. You can start right now with things like:

• Ensuring you have strong, unique passwords on all of your accounts
• Enabling security tools like Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to keep your accounts locked up a little tighter
• Protecting your privacy on your home Wi-Fi connection, mobile devices, and any Internet of Things (IoT) devices

Some things might be out of your hands, but that doesn’t mean throw in the towel. Your information very well could be “out there,” but getting a good sense of your data privacy and protecting it to the best of your ability can reduce your risk of additional cybercrimes.

For more information, check out the full Data Privacy Day resource guide by the NCSA.

Contact the Identity Theft Resource Center for toll-free, no-cost assistance at (888) 400-5530. For on-the-go assistance, check out the free ID Theft Help App from ITRC.