Privacy & Price
What is the price tag for your privacy?
Today, we are connected in every click, swipe, and sign-up. We create a trail of personal data that companies eagerly collect, analyze, and monetize. You may say that you haven’t provided any of this data because you are not on social media. However, a person does not need to be online to give away personal data. Your bank, doctor, dentist, car dealership, place of employment, sky is the limit in this field of data breaches.
There is no price tag on your privacy.
Who are you?
Did you know that anyone can be subject to losing their data. Let’s think of what is personal data besides the known social security number (SSN), date of birth (DOB), and mother’s maiden name.
Your first and last name
Your address
Your driver’s license or state identification card
Banking information and/or financial account numbers
Biometric identification e.g., fingerprint, voiceprint, iris scan
Any combination of an individual’s name or sensitive information e.g., DOB, SSN, medical information, passwords, PINs, health records, login credentials, etc.
Banking
Tips to keep your financial records safe.
Avoid storing credit and/or debit card numbers on retail websites.
Regularly delete unused accounts. Remove your automatic payment accounts.
Check your credit reports using Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion annually.
If you suspect fraud, the report is free.
If you suspect fraud, contact your bank immediately to put a freeze on your accounts.
Keep your devices e.g., mobile, laptop, desktop, tablet, etc. updated with the latest software updates. If you do not know how, ask for help.
Minimize data sharing. Never email your data, send it in a text message, over the phone, or in the mail.
Verify before trusting sites.
Use safe networks and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
Audit your accounts. Check your apps’ permissions frequently.
Use Multi-Factor-Authentication (MFA) and strong unique passwords.
Use encryption on documents.
Privacy in your home
How many individuals today have an open Wi-Fi connection? Does your router and/or modem have the original username and password assigned from your Internet Service Provider (ISP)? If yes, this needs to be changed. Do you know how to change the username/password of the device you purchased at Walmart or other retailers?
Always protect your devices. Regardless of where you purchased your Internet and regardless of who your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is. The router and/or modem (device) user credentials must be changed to a username/password that you created. Your ISP may be one of the following, but not limited to these Charter, Spectrum, Highline, HughesNet, Starlink, Verizon, AT&T, your city may provide it in a package, EarthLink, Xfinity (Comcast), Frontier Communications, T-Mobile, CenturyLink, etc.
Security cameras
Protecting your data on your home security cameras. Are you using a secure Wi-Fi network? Remember, if your Wi-Fi Network has the same username/password from the day it was purchased or provided to you to use. It is most likely, not secured.
Enable WPA3 encryption. This may prevent eavesdropping on video feeds.
Protect the attack surface by turning off your router’s remote access features.
Update the camera’s firmware regularly or set a schedule in the app.
Use a separate network for the camera. This way if someone gets into the camera your risk is reduced for the person getting into your computers or sensitive files on your computer.
Use strong and unique passwords for camera apps. Do not reuse passwords across multiple accounts. A password of 12345 is not strong. Use special characters or create a short sentence using upper and lowercase letters, special characters, and numbers.
Disable features you do not use.
Check the camera logs for unusual access.
Who’s smarter?
We have smart devices e.g., doorbells, locks, garage door openers, alarm systems, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, smart leak or water-damage sensors, our mobile devices, thermostats, lighting systems, smart plugs, outlets, energy monitors, irrigation systems, vacuums, speakers, appliances, televisions, streaming devices, exercise equipment, blinds, window shades, scales, sleep monitors, blood pressure cuffs, wearables (watches, trackers), the list is endless.
Are you smarter than your device? Let’s look over the checklist in March’s Newsletter.
