Threats to data in the form of:
- Data Loss: Accidental deletion, hardware failure, or natural disasters lead to irreplaceable data loss.
- Consequences: Lost work, irreplaceable memories, financial records, etc.
- Data Breach: Unauthorised access to your data exposes it to criminals e.g., loss of unencrypted laptop or external hard drive.
- Consequences: Stolen credit card information, leaked personal details, compromised privacy.
- Data Theft: Intentional stealing of data, often for financial gain.
- Consequences: Identity theft, fraudulent charges, emotional distress.
Defending Data from Loss, Breach, and Theft
- Back Up Regularly: Create regular backups of your data on external drives or cloud storage e.g., OneDrive.
- Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data to protect it in case of unauthorised access e.g., BitLocker for Windows and FileVault for Mac.
- Strong Passwords & MFA: Use complex, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for all accounts. (Authenticator apps more secure than SMS.)
- Screen Locks: Enable automatic screen locks on devices after period of inactivity and set password require for unlock.
- Data Minimization: Only store the data you truly need and dispose of unnecessary information securely.
- Beware of Social Engineering: Don’t reveal sensitive information to unknown individuals or callers.
- Firewalls: Avoid disabling firewalls and other built-in operating system security features.
- Control Access: Be mindful of who uses your personal devices and take precautions to reduce risks e.g., use separate user accounts and limit admin access on PCs, and use a separate Wi-Fi network for guest devices.