The Dangers of Cloud Storage

Today nearly all of us have our information stored on the cloud.

It’s a very easy solution that allows users to seamlessly create back-ups of photos, contacts and other personal information, giving users access to their accounts anywhere from any device. Perhaps its most prized feature is that it has no #storage limits, unlike mobile devices and PCs.

There is, however, a downside to cloud services. Although it is useful in storing #data, it could be the reason data is lost. Recently, the celebrity iCloud hack went to trial. The hacker admitted he acquired the credentials by spear phishing his victims and once he had them, all the data they stored on the cloud, whether intentionally or not, was exposed and later posted online.

Many users are not aware of the different risks involved in using the cloud. It’s easy to forget that it syncs automatically, storing data that was not intended to be uploaded and accumulating over time. Another side effect due to its remote nature is many users do not feel compelled to protect their cloud accounts as they do their computers and mobile devices, leaving themselves vulnerable.

Users should follow several guidelines to stay safe, while benefiting from the cloud’s capabilities. Some of these are simple best practices that should be implemented regardless, such as being wary of phishing attacks and not sharing your passwords. Below is some advice on how to actively protect yourself when using the cloud.

Use a different password for your cloud serviceThe first thing you must do when using a cloud service is to choose a distinct password for it. Do not use the same password you use for other sites, since it increases the risk that your account will fall into the wrong hands.

Curated from The Dangers of Cloud Storage By @tofly4wifi | @CloudExpo Cloud | news.sys-con.com