5 Easy Ways to Protect Your Digital Privacy TODAY!

It seems challenging to keep your personal data private with all of the bugs and breeches out there today. Almost monthly there is a new cyber threat or data breach in popular companies such as Facebook, Google, Marriott Hotels, and many other small scale attacks from hackers. There are quick and easy changes YOU can make right NOW to help protect your digital privacy.
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1. Update your mobile devices and computers: Updates can fix bugs! One example is the recent patch that Apple created to keep others from eavesdropping on your Facetime conversations. 
2. Use two-factor authentication: This is an extra security measure. When you login to your device or computer you don’t gain access to your accounts. The website you are trying to access such as a bank account, will ask you for a code that will be texted to your phone. If you would like to implement this type of authentication, search on the internet for what account you are wanting to set up a two-factor security ex: Search ‘Gmail 2FA’ or ‘Bank Name 2FA.’
3. Freeze your credit: This strategy keeps unauthorized companies or hackers from opening a credit card or loan in your name. The one problem is that if you decide to work with a new company such as opening a new credit card, you will need to lift the credit freeze in order for the credit card company to do a credit check. You should also freeze your child’s credit too as this could go undetected for many years until your child is old enough to apply for his/her own credit card or car loan. Thanks to a new law passed in 2018, freezing your credit with the three main credit reporting bureaus is FREE! 
4. Install a password manager: Find it difficult to remember all of your passwords? Do you want to store all of your passwords somewhere secure? A password manager is like a virtual vault to store all of your passwords and logins so that you only have to remember one simple password to login to the password manager. There are many password manager companies out there, but a couple of popular companies that are free or inexpensive are Dashlane, 1Password, KeePass, and LastPass.
5. Make privacy a priority: When you set up a new device or internet service, make sure your settings have high privacy. Turn off location services on devices. Check your apps too! Do the settings for the apps need your microphone on? Does it need access to your location? To your contacts? Make sure all of these are turned off. Further, don’t be shy in letting companies know that you are concerned about getting your information stolen and how can they help make your personal data private. 

Whether you are on your phone or your laptop, you can leave a digital trail of the sites you have visited. Use these strategies above to help keep your personal data private. If you have further questions about these tips, please reach out to Traditions Wealth Advisors, 979-694-9100, or [email protected]

Source: St. John, Allen. 11 February, 2019. https://www.consumerreports.org/privacy/ways-to-protect-digital-privacy/

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