illustration of someone grabbing items from a virtual storage space

What can you do to secure your data?

You can help to keep your data more private by keeping it secure from hackers and thieves. Below is some common security advice. It may seem like a lot to manage, but doing even a few of these things will help make your data less vulnerable.

What You Can Do

Customize the Technology:

  • Turn on automatic updates for all of your devices.
  • Lock your smartphone with a passcode or touch ID.
  • Use multi-factor authentication if you are able. This means that every account you log in to will require password input from two or more of your devices.

Keep Account Information Secure:

  • Do not store passwords in a file (on a computer). If you must write it down on a piece of paper, keep it safe (i.e. to make sure no one else can see them, don’t keep the passwords in an easily visible place, such as the fridge or kitchen counter).
    • We recommend keeping your passwords in a secure “password manager” program, which can generate random passwords and store them. Most browsers have built-in managers, or you could use third-party managers such as LastPass, DashLane, or Bitwarden.

Use Your Imagination:

  • Come up with unique passwords for different accounts.
  • If you don’t have a password manager, use secure passwords. Secure passwords should be at least 8 characters long and contain a combination of lower-case letters, capital letters, numbers, and special characters. They should not use any personal information like names and birthdays.

Choose What You Use:

  • Install only trusted software. This means trying to stick to the official app stores, such as the Google Play store, Apple’s App Store, or the Microsoft Store. If the piece of software you need is not from an official store, consult an IT expert about its safety.
  • Use public WiFi hotspots sparingly. If you have to use public WiFi, try to avoid visiting sensitive websites such as bank accounts or email services.