Ten simple things you should do this Data Privacy Day

When was the last time you ran a search on your own name – do you know if someone has been pretending to be you, or if unwanted eyes have easy access to your personal details?

Don’t stand idly by as the trail you leave online gets larger – be vigilant and take steps to protect your own information. In line with Data Privacy Day on January 28, here are ten simple things you can do to better protect
the information you share online.

1. Password protect your mobile devices – only 6 in 10 Singaporeans use passwords on their mobile device. Leaving your devices unprotected is equivalent to leaving your home or car unlocked. If you’re lucky, no one will take advantage of the access. If not, you might find yourself at the mercy of cyber risks and fraud.

2. Run a search on yourself – it’s not narcissistic, and is an easy way to stay on top of what’s available about you online. You never know who might be assuming your identity or sharing your private information.

3. Be stingy with your personal details – some websites will prompt you for information such as your email, address or phone number. Be cautious as this information might end up being used in unexpected ways.

4. Mobile security software can add another layer of protection – yes it exists, and yes it works.

5. Unknown sources are usually bad news – emails and text messages that contain links or ask for information might do you more harm than good. Make sure you know who the sender is before opening these messages.

6. Be in charge of your privacy settings – some social networks and applications can share your personal information and location with strangers. You should only share personal details with those you trust.

7. Download apps from reliable sources – mobile malware is spreading via fake app markets. Be mindful of what apps you’re downloading and where you’re downloading them from.

8. Keep your apps updated – security patches exist for a reason, use them when available.

9. Log off and log out – unless you want others to have easy access to your accounts, you should always log out after use.

10. Stay informed – keep up to date with the latest mobile threats and dangers by visiting websites such as MobileSecurity.com, which has the latest news on all things related to protecting yourself and your mobile devices.