Ten Tips for Protecting Your Personally Identifiable Information

One of the main responsibilities of a security expert is to protect personally identifiable information (PII). What kind of data fall under personally identifiable information? Threat actors may use Social Security numbers, birth dates, locations, financial accounts, and other information to identify a person, steal their money, or steal their identity. A person could be stigmatized ormade to feel ashamed using this information.

1) Utilize a comprehensive security solution that can also protect your privacy.

Your devices will be protected by powerful online protection software from K7 antivirus. This will further safeguard your privacy and identity while defending you from the most recent malware, spyware, ransomware, and virus attacks. Additionally, it can offer strong password protection by generating and automatically storing complicated passwords to secure your login information from hackers and thieves who could try to force their way into your accounts.

A firewall is another feature of security software that prevents unauthorized access to your home network, such as that of an intruder looking for network flaws to "break in" to your computer and steal data.

2) Share your social security number with care.

When requested to provide your Social Security number in the future, pause and consider your options. Is the individual requesting your data from a bank, a credit bureau, or another organization obligated to file a tax return with the IRS? Do not disclose your information if it is not. A valid Social Security number is necessary for identity theft; the more businesses that hold it, the less protected you are. Call the bank or organization and find out why they need your Social Security number if you are unsure.

3) Safeguard your files

Encrypting your files is a fundamental idea in data and information security, making it a potent method of protecting your PII. It entails converting information or data into code that must be accessed using a digital key in order to be read in its original, unencrypted format. For instance, File Lock, our file encryption function that enables you to lock crucial files in safe digital vaults on your device, is a part of K7 antivirus software.

4) Avoid Cloud Uploads of Sensitive Documents

Some of the most popular cloud services, including iCloud, Box.com, and Google Drive, could use automatic backups even if you're not aware of it. Although backing up your data to the cloud is a good idea, you should be aware of the kinds of data that are stored in your preferred cloud service.

Check what kinds of files are being backed up to the cloud services you utilize. Do you want to back up all of your personal documents and images to the cloud? Try to be as selective as possible about what you upload to the cloud.

5) Avoid taking those online "quizzes"

Which superhero from the Marvel Universe are you? Is it truly important? After all, these quizzes and social media posts frequently swindle bits of your PII in an amusing manner. While you won't be divulging your SSN, you might be disclosing information such as your birthday, the name of your pet, or the make and model of your first car things that people frequently use to create their passwords or provide the answers to standard security questions on banking and financial websites. This type of test can only be passed by not taking it.

6) Discreetly browse.

Private surfing can help keep you safe online, even if you are not using your own device, even though it does not completely anonymize you online. Cookies, temporary internet files, and browser history are deleted after you close the window when using private browsing. The easiest approach to remain anonymous when browsing the internet is to mask your IP address using a web proxy, a VPN, or Tor, an open network that sends your traffic via a number of servers before arriving at its final destination. To connect to secure websites like banking and social networking, it is never a good idea to utilize public or shared computers.

7) Phishing assaults are a significantly more direct method of separating you from your PII.

The goal of a cybercriminal's phishing attack is to trick you into sharing sensitive information like your logins, account numbers, credit card numbers, and other details under the guise of offering customer service. Phishing emails may take the form of correspondence from well-known or trusted companies, financial institutions, or even emails from friends and family.

Comprehensive security adds a further layer of defense against assaults, in this case by providing browser security tools like our own Web Advisor, which will warn you if you come across dubious sites and downloads that might steal your personal information or otherwise put you at risk.

8) Your social networking profiles should remain private.

You can see why a social media presence is a potential goldmine for hackers given social engineering tactics that trick victims by pretending to be somebody the target knows and the tendency we all have to occasionally overshare a little bit about our lives.

9) Employ a firewall

Using a firewall is another measure you may take to stop a hacker from getting access to your important files and data. A firewall can be used to create a barrier between your device and your internet connection. Firewalls can be hardware- or softwarebased. The firewall will analyze data and content packets to decide where they should be transmitted and whether they come from a reliable source.

A hardware firewall appliance is most likely used by your company to stop hackers from accessing its systems. From a personal standpoint, firewall software allows you to filter and block data at the packet level.

10) Install K7 antivirus software

Utilize K7 antivirus software to create a database of known malware and other harmful viruses that could infect your device and compromise sensitive data. One AV tool

should be running continuously on your device, and your AV solution should come from a reputable provider. Running two at once can cause issues with your device's performance and damage your device's malware signature databases and scanning process.

Conclusion

If you want to be secure then install K7 antivirus. It protects your device from all malware and malicious files. We provide ultimate security from all potential threats. Be safe and protect your device with us.

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