Sending confidential information through the Internet is not safe unless you know how to protect your data online. By following certain precautionary measures, you can protect the data.

Send Data in Encrypted Format

You have to verify that the data sent by you through the Internet is in encrypted format. When sending information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers etc., you need to make sure that it is sent securely. You have to look for a small lock icon at the bottom of the right corner of your browser window. Sometimes, it is displayed next to the address bar also. You need to make sure that it is in the locked state. If no lock icon is visible, then it means that the information you have entered is not encrypted and so anyone can read it when intercepted. In this way, you know how to protect your data.

Always Use a Strong password

Using a strong password is a way to protect data online. It is the most highly recommended method known for how to protect your data. If you are using online banking, then make sure to have a strong password. Use a combination of letters, numbers and a symbol to make it strong.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

By enabling two-factor authentication, you can increase the security. The main advantage of a two-factor authentication is that even if someone has stolen your password, when they try to enter the account using your password, the application will send a text message providing a verification code. It is always recommended that this method be enabled for all your accounts, especially for your email account.

E-mail is Not Encrypted

You have to make sure that you do not send any confidential messages through email such as passwords, usernames, account numbers, credit card numbers etc. Email is not encrypted so it is easy to intercept.

Be Aware of Phishing Scams

To protect your online activities through the Internet, you should think about how to protect your data from phishing scams. Popular targets of phishing scams are online bank sites, PayPal, Amazon and some of the other popular sites. You have to be extra careful when accepting terms and conditions or when agreeing for prompts. You need to make sure that when trying to install new software, you do not check the checkbox that asks whether it is fine to install a third party program.

Logging in From Your Office

When logging in from your office, you may be worried about how to protect your data from others. Do not store passwords in your browser. Also, please remember to clear all your logs that contain information about your usernames and passwords.

Wireless Network

You have to understand that when on a wireless network, data sent and received from your computer can be intercepted by others. You can prevent this by logging into the network which uses WEP or WPA.

Logging in From a Friend’s House or from Outside

If you are thinking about how to protect your data, then you should always remember that whenever you log in from a friend’s house or from outside, you should never save any of your passwords.

Alternative WEB Browser

It is always nice to consider using an alternative browser such as Google Chrome or Firefox Mozilla. If the operating system you are using is Window 10, then it is better to install Microsoft Edge.

If you are worried too much about security and how to protect your data online, then do not worry. Following the above given tips, you now know how to protect your data online.