• Paul
• On September 10, 2019

Your data is valuable. Researchers estimate your personal pictures, videos, documents, and other files to be worth a minimum of $240 per year. And this number doesn’t even factor in corporate use of data including customer information, employee records, and other important files. The bottom line is – you must secure your data. Unfortunately, however, data loss is on the rise. That’s why we have put together a list of essential tools and strategies for you to protect yourself and your data.

What is Data Loss?

Data loss is what happens when data is hacked, deleted, or lost. Although we tend to most often picture hackers as the number one source of data loss, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, however, a user may accidentally delete a file, or there may be a software malfunction rendering data unreadable. Whether it is from hackers or our mistakes, all users need to learn data loss prevention (DLP) strategies to ensure their data remains functional and secure.

The Danger of Data Breaches

The most dangerous type of data loss is a data breach. In events like these, cybercriminals steal personal information, like email addresses, personal identification numbers, credit card details, and sensitive files. They can do a lot with your data: breach other networks, steal your identity, or sell your information to third parties. Sometimes, hackers simply steal data just to show off their abilities. Regardless of their motivation, any type of hacker that attacks your computer puts your data at risk.

How to Protect Yourself Against Data Loss

All computer users need to learn how to protect their data. There are numerous strategies you can use to greatly increase your digital safety. The best tool, to begin with, is NordLocker. NordLocker is a file encryption service that utilizes the latest security protocols and technology to encrypt your files. What this means is that if a hacker gains access to your computer or your cloud account, they won’t be able to open your files or use them in any way.

Using NordLocker is extremely easy as well. After you install the software, all you have to do is right-click on a file and hit “encrypt.” In just a few seconds, NordLocker will protect your files with the strongest layers of security. You can then choose to store it on your computer or upload it to the cloud. Moreover, NordLocker adheres to the strictest data security policies so that hackers don’t have the tools to access your encrypted files – only you do. From here, you can securely share files and ensure only you or those you authorize have access.

Additional Strategies to Prevent Data Loss

Since the most dangerous types of data loss are the result of criminals trying to illicitly gain access to your files and personal information, it’s essential to utilize data security strategies and tools. One of the first things you need to do is learn how to recognize suspicious websites and phishing attempts. A decade ago, computer users could easily spot this type of activity. However, cybercriminals have grown increasingly sophisticated. They may pose as a friend or family member and try to get you to share confidential information. Or they may create fake versions of major websites to steal your login credentials.

Software like Norton Security and Kaspersky are great tools you can utilize. Not only do they run malware and other scans on your computer, but they will also help you recognize suspicious websites and prevent you from downloading malicious files.

Phishing attempts can be a little trickier. We are all familiar with the famous “Nigerian Prince Scam.” However, crafty hackers can trick people who think they are sharing information with close friends and family members. A good guideline is that anytime somebody wants you to share specific personal information – like your identification number, full name, and birthdate – give that person a quick call to confirm that it’s really them.

How to Protect Yourself from Data Loss

Data loss ends up costing the economy billions of dollars each year. Unfortunately, certain types of data loss may be difficult to prevent, like an operating system error or other types of problems. However, every computer user can minimize the damage of data breaches. The most important tool is NordLocker, which secures your files with the strongest encryption technology. From here, you can use software like Norton Security and Kaspersky to run virus scans, remove malware, and prevent you from visiting malicious websites. Finally, learn to recognize the signs of phishing scams and other suspicious types of internet activity. This data protection strategy will ensure your personal information and files remain safe from cybercriminals.