You can say that the digital space is one of the most useful discoveries we had. We can do lots of activities and make our work easier and faster, especially during the pandemic when we took our use of the digital space to the next level. However, along with our strong reliance on the digital space also comes the vulnerabilities and threats that we may face online. If we are not too careful enough, none of our data is safe. Hackers and other malicious elements online may exploit our data and use it against us for surveillance, extortion, and more. On the other hand, we should not let these threats stop our work. Here are some of the tips you can do to protect your data and yourself.
1. Password-protect your files
Passwords will be your first veil of protection from unauthorized users infiltrating your data. That is why you should not overlook applying passwords to everything in your data you can password-protect. Aside from applying passwords on your system, social and banking accounts, and others, you can also apply passwords to your files. You can also add a password to the documents you send in PDF with a reliable PDF expert, like PDFBear. You can unlock PDF files as well using this PDF tool!
2. Use stronger passwords
Since we already mentioned passwords, it is just right to also talk about one of the things most people dismiss. We know it is tempting to enter simple passwords for faster log-in or unlocking files. Simple passwords will also keep us from forgetting the passwords altogether. However, sites and other platforms suggest their users enter strong passwords for a reason. Once identity thieves or hackers try logging into your accounts and guessing your easy password, it will not be hard for them to open your other accounts, too.
Keep your password strong, long, and random. As much as possible, use different passwords across different platforms and accounts.
3. Update your software
Updating our software might also be one thing most of us are guilty of postponing. We get it—with lots of tasks and deadlines you need to beat, you might find it hard to find time to update your software. What you may not know is there is more to software updates than new widgets, emojis, and features. Every day, security threats change, and hackers upgrade their ways, too. To fight this, your software also releases updates to fight off those threats and bugs. Software updates have security patches that fix bugs. Outdated software will be left vulnerable to breaches in privacy or security.
4. Backup your files with a reliable online storage platform
Back up your files, so you will have little to worry about if something happens (we hope none will!). Regularly backing up your files to secure storage will be a failsafe option in case your system gets infiltrated. Should you lose all your documents in your network, devices, or drives, you can recover important files with little problem. Backing up your files will also be helpful from hackers and ransomware. You can rely on your external hard drive, but it is better to use online file storage solutions, such as Gdrive, DropBox, and more! PDFBear also has an online Cloud system you can use. If you want a safe option, you can do backup both on your external hard drive and on your online storage account.
5. Avoid connecting to public WiFi
Not connecting to public WiFi might already go without saying, but sometimes, we run into a pinch when we need to connect to public WiFis! However, you should always avoid situations when you have no choice but to connect to this WiFi. Since public WiFis are public connections, you can never be so sure of its security. Malicious elements might use public WiFis to gain access to your emails, social media accounts, banking, and credit card details, and more! Instead, use your mobile data or a personal pocket WiFi for a more secure connection.
6. Do not open sketchy links, attachment
Malicious elements and hackers often infiltrate your data through the links and attachments you accidentally or not accidentally click and open. These can infect your system with malware and other viruses. Inspect the link or the attachment carefully and see if it is sketchy. If it is someone you do not know, you might as well avoid clicking it.
Use reliable software programs only
Here are just some of the tips that can help you protect yourself online and have a more productive use of the digital space at the same time. The rule of thumb to protect your system is to use only the platforms, software programs, and sites that you trust, like PDFBear. For maximizing the use of your PDF files, you will never go wrong with PDFBear because it prioritizes the security and privacy of its users.