Watch out digital thieves — Data Privacy Day is coming for you!
You don’t need to be an IT expert to stay on top of protecting your data. Data Privacy can be as simple as locking your phone, changing your passwords and deleting any potentially harmful emails.
It’s easy to get caught out when surfing the web — given its role in our everyday lives — this can be difficult to avoid. Although most businesses and apps do their best to protect your information, there’s no guarantee that you’re safe from risk.
But wait… we can stay ahead by keeping ourselves informed. And it’s important to keep a balance with this. While there’s no understating the value of keeping our private information safe, we can still enjoy the little things, like telling our best friend what we had for breakfast. Let’s be real, this is vital information they need on a daily basis, right?
Data Privacy Day is all about knowing when you’ve shared too much and identifying the potential of stranger danger.
What is Data Privacy Day?
Data Privacy Day takes place on January 28, and is here to raise awareness about the importance of protecting your privacy while online. In the same way you shouldn’t leave your wallet next to an open window, you shouldn’t leave your personal information lying around on the internet.
The internationally recognised day is a global effort to teach you the tricks of the trade, with not only how to safeguard your data, but how to also respect privacy and build trust while online.
The concept started way back in 2008 in the US and Canada as an extension of Europe’s Data Protection Day. Initially, it was set up to educate businesses but since then has evolved into something much more. It isn’t just about looking after big business — it’s also about looking after you and helping keep your personal information safe.
How can I join in?
There a few ways you can get involved. You can start by volunteering to become a Data Privacy Day Champion. To get started, you’ll just need to register for the program to show your dedication to the cause!
It might sound grand, but you don’t have to be a big business to sign up. Schools and non-profit organisations are encouraged to show their dedication to the cause by empowering those in the community to defend their data against the forces of evil.
As for you… you don’t have to become a data champion to get involved.
STOP. THINK. CONNECT. has loads of hot tips to help with keeping your private information under lock and key. Visit their website to learn some new skills and then share these skills with family, friends and workmates — keeping the internet safe is a responsibility we should all share.
Keep your private information under lock and key
Technology is rapidly growing around us — there’s no way to avoid it. Despite this, there are times when you need to share a little bit of yourself with the world, and that’s okay.
It’s important to be mindful of what you share and who you’re sharing it with. For example, when posting on Facebook, you might need to consider who is able to see your photos or read your posts. This can be as simple as updating your privacy settings, which allows you to mark your posts, allowing only close friends to see them. You can do this by using the ‘audience selector tool’, which can be found where you post a status update.
Don’t fret! Data privacy shouldn’t be stressful, and it most certainly shouldn’t make you feel like hibernating from the world. It’s the smallest things that can make a huge difference. These simple prompts include:
· Locking down on your social media settings
· Making your passwords random and longer than usual
· Downloading anti-virus apps
· Deleting your private information from Facebook, such as your email, home address and phone number
Take some time to learn about the security settings on your phone and on all of your favourite apps. Don’t know how? Never fear, we’ve got you covered.
Stay Safe Online has a fantastic little library of knowledge where you can learn to view and change your security settings, this includes a range of different apps, browsers and mobile devices.
There are heaps of little things you can do that will go a long way, and help ward of all these nasty cyber criminals. It starts with keeping aware that your privacy is worth more than gold.
If you’re keen to learn more about protecting yourself while online, join our Privacy and Online Safety group on Facebook.
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