Advancements in securing your data that you shouldn’t ignore

Data security has become paramount for average users and businesses alike, with cyber terrorism and freelance hacking by talented but bored individuals on the rise. However, for all the threats that have appeared, tools for combating the danger have also been created. Here a few of the most advanced methods for securing your data; some that are simple, and some that you’re unknowingly using already.

1.Two-Step Security Protocol
A password, the long-favored security method, has become more of an irritant than a barrier for hackers with malicious intent, as a range of technology and techniques has allowed them to bypass it easily. However, some of the best companies such as Google have taken to a two-step security protocol for adding that final barrier between your data and third-party eyes. By requiring a password and then sending a verification code to your email or phone, they can ensure that it’s really you checking into your inbox or accessing your account, as most hackers do not have access to both.

2.Drive Encryption
Drive encryption is the best defense for protecting your data, and also the most simple, as many devices have it enabled by default. By encrypting your drive, it becomes more difficult for hackers to work through the assembly of codes standing as a barrier between them and your information. One such example is Window 8’s BitLocker Disk Encryption, which comes as a default to any user who purchases their device. Often times users don’t realize the strength of the encryption key they create, and it’s subtly stored in OneDrive to be recovered later if needed, making it much more difficult to be maliciously accessed either remotely or directly.

3.Stronger Passwords
You may have noticed already that certain websites, storage devices, and computers rate the strength of your password as you create it, requiring numbers, characters, and many letters to be included. This is far more crucial than it seems. As simple as creating a stronger password may appear, the longer and more complicated the word is, the more difficult it becomes for hackers to deduce the code or set their software to decrypting it.

4.Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
Even if hackers cannot access and steal your data, it’s not difficult for them to throw a few monkey wrenches in the mix and leave your data too scrambled and corrupted for use. Security advancements such as UEFI stand as a guard at your data’s door, blocking any modifications to your firmware that don’t match up with the previous vendor’s requirements. This makes it difficult for custom modifications, but for the average user, it ensures that no dabbling fingers can reach into your data.

5.Smarter Virus Protection
Virus scanners of the modern day have gone above and beyond their predecessors, using Big Data and other methods of data analytics to identify common threats and reoccurring holes. This information allows them to create a strong counter-attack to these dangers. With newer technology allowing data to be processed faster, many virus programs create defenses against new viruses before they’re even unleashed. The best advancements in data security is the most common one, and the mainstream virus programs have earned their status through reliability and quality performance, making them the best choice for keeping your data safe.

6.Stronger Firewalls
Firewalls monitor the incoming and outgoing of your web searches, downloads, and emails, catching threats before they have a chance to reach into your data. Much in the same way as virus programs, modern firewalls are a product of innovation and learning. Companies are aware that consumer confidence is the most important element for success, and have improved their efforts in making the default firewalls the strongest available, often times offering additional protection at an extra costs for extremely sensitive data.

Data protection is no joke. Whether you’re storing vital business information, government data, or your favorite collection of cat videos, a data breach can mean the tearful destruction of your valuable content. However, new techniques, technologies, and default applications have been created to ensure you can enjoy every aspect of your data without fear of losing it.