It's Easy To Protect Your Data!

Another slow technology week, other then Apple's new (but kinda the same) iPhone and Microsoft's new (but kinda the same) Surface tablets have me revisiting the importance of securing your data and providing some easy steps for accomplishing it.

Computers today almost always store more than just files. We use our computers, laptops and tablets to store our photos, music, videos and much more. With everything being stored on our computers, it is no wonder that we all want to make sure that our data is fully protected from all eventualities.

Remember that you can always reinstall any programs or software but your data could be lost forever. I have been asked countless times to "please just save my pictures" when someone's computer has "crashed". There are many ways that you can protect your data from being lost, as well as being compromised by people who do not have access.

Below are 5 useful steps you can take to protect your data.

1. Backing Up – Using an external device to back your files up with is a great way of protecting them. You can use discs, USB sticks or even an external hard drive to copy all of your data to. If this is done on a regular basis then if anything should happen to your PC or tablet you will always have a full back up of your data that can be loaded back onto any device.
2. Security & Anti Virus Software – Antivirus software or security is paramount to protecting your data. Your data is under constant threat from hackers and viruses. In order to help protect your data it is advisable to install some kind of antivirus software or security. This software will repair any attacks on your data and alert you to any threats including suspicious and dangerous websites.
3. Passwords – If you have data on your laptop or PC that needs to be kept private and never shared then you should protect that data with a password or security key that only you know. You can also zip files to protect them from being opened. Never share any passwords with anyone because you never know who may store that password.
4. Internet Protocol Security – Internet protocol security or IP security as it is also known is vital if you are sending private or important data over the web as this is when it can be most easily hacked.
5. Secure Networks – Always ensure that any network that you may use is a secure one. Unsecured networks put your data at risk as anyone maybe able to access the data on your laptop and PC and share that data. Never use a network where you don’t have to enter a pass key or security key.

By following these handy steps you can protect your data and it will be less likely to be exposed to the wrong people.