{"id":47181,"date":"2019-01-25T10:34:17","date_gmt":"2019-01-25T16:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=47181"},"modified":"2019-01-28T08:58:40","modified_gmt":"2019-01-28T14:58:40","slug":"data-privacy-day-and-what-it-means-to-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/47181-data-privacy-day-and-what-it-means-to-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Data Privacy Day and What it Means to You"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Every January 28th, data security groups from around the world host Data Privacy Day<\/strong> events. In the United States, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) organizes events to raise awareness of data privacy and how important it is in today’s connected world. This is especially important with the implementation of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in the European Union last May, which was designed to empower individuals to learn what personal data is being captured and stored, to take back that data if necessary, and protect identities. Similar legislation is expected to arrive in the United States and other countries soon.<\/p>\n

Since one of the key pieces of the GDPR allows individuals to request personal data from an organization that is storing it, of course hackers are finding loopholes. The regulation advises companies to check who is requesting the information, but doesn’t mandate how to check identity, which means that hackers will soon find (or have already found) ways to try to use indirect ways to steal your personal data.<\/p>\n

This Data Privacy Day, the focus is likely to be on advising companies on how they can fight fraud through behavioral biometrics and AI to ensure that people requesting personal information are who they say they are. For individuals, there are some good guidelines that anyone who uses a computer, smartphone or tablet should take to heart.<\/p>\n

1)<\/strong> Take the time to visit StaySafeOnline.org<\/a> on Data Privacy Day. The site has resources for both businesses and individuals.<\/p>\n

2)<\/strong> Stop. Think. Connect.\u2122<\/strong> This simple mnemonic should go through your mind every time you use one of your devices to connect to a site or company, either through a browser or app. What it means is that before you commit to connecting to any online information source, stop, think about the connection you’re making (Is it a valid address? Am I being asked for information that I should not divulge? Should I click on website links in emails?), and only when you feel sure that your personal information is safe, then make the connection.<\/p>\n

3)<\/strong> Change your passwords often, and take advantage of strong authentication methods when available.<\/p>\n

When it comes to passwords, the NCSA recommends some simple methods to secure accounts:<\/p>\n