Want to know how to store your digital assets safely?
Data is the lifeblood of businesses. It’s what allows us to keep track of our customers, run reports on our sales, and do everything else we need to run a successful business.
Most people are aware that they should be backing up their data regularly, but few actually do it. Why? Because storing computer data properly can seem complicated.
But don’t worry! Keep reading because this guide will walk you through every step of the process so that you can store your computer data safely and securely without having to spend unnecessary time or money doing it!
- Back Up Your Data Regularly
The best way to protect your computer data is by routinely backing it up. This means copying a digital file to a separate storage device, such as an external hard drive so that you have a copy in case of a system crash or other disaster. You can also back up your data online using a cloud storage service. This makes data recovery easier for you.
- Use Encryption
If you’re backing up your data online, be sure to use encryption to protect it from unauthorized access. This will ensure that your data is safe even if it falls into the wrong hands.
- Use a Password Manager
A password manager is a software program that remembers your user name and password for every online account you have so that you don’t have to. You can use this program to generate passwords that are extremely difficult to crack.
- Don’t Rely on Your Operating System Alone
Only rely on your operating system for hard drive encryption and not any other security features because it may be possible to bypass them. Use a third-party encryption program instead to be sure your data is safe.
- Regularly Update Your Software
Make sure you regularly update your software, including your operating system and antivirus software, to ensure that you have the latest security patches. These updates can fix vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.
- Create Complex Passwords
Create passwords that are difficult to guess by using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use easily guessable words like “password” or “123456.”
- Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that requires you to enter a second code (usually sent to your phone) in addition to your user name and password in order to log in to your account.
- Don’t Save Sensitive Information on Your Hard Drive
Don’t save any sensitive information, such as bank account numbers or passwords, on your computer’s hard drive. This information can be easily accessed by hackers if they gain access to your system.
- Hide Your Files
If you don’t want others to see your files, you can hide them by encrypting them with a password. This will keep them from being accessible without the proper authorization.
- Use an Antivirus Program
An antivirus program is essential for protecting your computer from malware and other online threats. Make sure you keep it up-to-date and run it at least once a week.
- Use a Firewall
A firewall is a hardware or software solution designed to block unauthorized access to your computer from outside sources. You can also use an external one if you connect your computer to the internet through a wireless router.
- Check Your System Regularly for Malware and Viruses
Keep track of when your antivirus program was the last run and review its results the next time you log in. Be sure that it removed any viruses or malware found on your system because this could indicate that your system has been compromised by hackers, which means they likely have full access to your files.
- Run Antivirus in Offline Mode If Possible
Some antivirus programs don’t work when they’re not connected to the internet. If this is the case with your antivirus program, be sure to run it in offline mode at least once a week.
- Use a Firewall in Offline Mode if Possible
If you’re not able to use your firewall when you’re not connected to the internet, be sure to run it in offline mode at least once a week. This will ensure that your data is protected.
- Regularly Update Your Anti-Spyware Program
Make sure you regularly update your anti-spyware program to protect your computer from spyware and other online threats. These updates can fix vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. This will also improve your computer performance.
- Disable Unnecessary Services
Disable services that you don’t need because they could be exploited by hackers and cause your computer to run slowly. For example, if you don’t use iMessage or Skype, go into their preferences and disable the option to check for new messages automatically.
- Make Sure You’re Not On a Phishing Site
If you receive an email from a website asking for sensitive information but aren’t sure about it, go to the site directly in a separate browser window and log in there instead of clicking on the link within the email so that you can check to see if it’s a legitimate page. If there is any doubt about whether it is safe, do not submit any information and delete the email immediately.
- Avoid Public Wi-Fi
Public wireless networks leave your data completely exposed because hackers could access it with a laptop or smartphone. When you’re in a public place, use a personal hotspot on your phone instead of a free wireless connection to protect yourself from cyberattacks.
- Use HTTPS Connection Whenever Possible
Whenever you log in to sensitive websites such as Facebook and Gmail, be sure that you’re using an https:// URL rather than http:// so that communications between your computer and the website are encrypted. This will prevent hackers from stealing any information sent from or to these pages without authorization.
Want to Learn More About Computer Data Storage?
We hope you’ve found this guide helpful. If you have any other ideas or questions, please share them in the comments below! If you’d like to learn more about computer data storage, check out our blog!