Staying Private Online
Maintaining privacy online is crucial due to the increasing prevalence and severity of data breaches, which can have devastating consequences for individuals and organizations. In 2023 alone, over 1,000 data breaches exposed more than 155.8 million records[1]. These breaches often lead to identity theft, financial loss, and erosion of personal privacy. Additionally, a study by IBM found that the average cost of a data breach in 2023 reached $4.45 million, the highest ever recorded[2]. By maintaining online privacy, individuals and organizations can protect sensitive information, mitigate the risk of becoming victims of cybercrime, and preserve their digital security and reputation.
Privacy and Online Security is an ever moving goal post, and we at Scout Security Group understand that burden. Do not fret, we can curate a living solution for you and your organization. For now, here are some basic digital hygiene practices to consider:
Steps to Stay Private Online (Do's and Don'ts)
1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords:
DO create long complex passwords that combine letters, numbers, and special characters.
A password manager should be able to generate and store these strong passwords so that you do not have to remember them.
As a rule of thumb, a password should be complex enough that you should not be able to remember it.
DON'T use the same password across multiple accounts.
If one account is part of a breach, then all accounts using the same password are vulnerable to further exploitation.
DO use a password manager to securely store and generate strong passwords.
Be wary of any password manager service that has been breached or may be subject to breach. We recommend a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) platform. Ask us for more details.
2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
DO add an extra layer of security by enabling MFA on ALL accounts that support it.
DO use an authentication app or hardware token as a secondary form of authentication.
Avoid using SMS for receiving one-time codes if possible- which may be easily compromised by a SIM Swapping attack.
3. Be Cautious with Personal Information:
DO limit the amount of personal information you share online, especially on social media.
Social media is often one of the first places an adversary will check to find Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or learn when and where you are going on vacation, for example.
DO adjust privacy settings on social media platforms to control who can see your posts and personal details. Remove any accounts that may be following you that you have not vetted or know personally.
4. Use Secure Connections:
DO always use HTTPS websites to ensure a secure connection.
HTTP is considered unsecured.
DO consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your privacy.
DON'T divulge PII or financial data over unsecured networks.
5. Regularly Update Software:
DO keep your operating system, software, and apps up to date with the latest security patches.
DO enable automatic updates where possible to ensure you are always protected against the latest threats.
6. Be Wary of Phishing Attacks:
DO be cautious when clicking on links, scanning QR codes, or opening attachments in emails, especially if the sender is unknown.
DO verify the authenticity of requests for personal information, even if they appear to come from legitimate sources.
7. Limit Data Sharing with Third Parties:
DO review the privacy policies of websites and apps before sharing your information.
DO use privacy-focused search engines and browsers that do not track your activity.
8. Monitor Your Online Presence:
DO regularly search for your name and other personal information online to see what is publicly available.
DO set up Google Alerts to notify you of any new mentions of your name or personal details.
DO schedule a consultation with Scout Security Group to understand how data aggregators exploit your PII and what we can do to stop them.
9. Use Encryption:
DO use encrypted messaging apps for private conversations.
DO encrypt sensitive files before storing them in the cloud or sending them via email.
10. Be Mindful of Public Wi-Fi:
DON'T access sensitive accounts or conducting financial transactions over public Wi-Fi.
DO use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks to secure your internet traffic.
11. Contact Scout Security Group:
DO contact us to schedule a consultation, individual or group training, or investigative service.
DON'T suffer in silence. We can and will help you.
Footnotes:
1. Identity Theft Resource Center, "2023 Data Breach Report," 2023. ↩︎
2. IBM, "Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023," 2023. ↩︎
