Totality Services: 5 top data privacy tips

It’s Data Privacy Week; while not widely celebrated, it is important for companies to use this week to ensure the safety of their business. This is especially the case as year on year, publicly reported ransomware attacks have increased by 17% in 2021.

While many may think that reporting the odd phishing email is enough, the 2020 United States federal government data breach showed the damage of not being diligent.

Fortunately, IT support company Totality Services has some advice about exactly what kind of data breaches companies should be cautious of, as well as how to properly address them.

The facts about data privacy

Data breaches involve a malicious actor getting past security and causing the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, or unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, personal data.

In terms of the party who wants a company or an individual’s data, it can vary from amateur hackers to national teams who are after prized information.

Skilled hackers have been instrumental in some of the most high-profile breaches in recent years. This includes the Facebook attack in 2021, which saw the personal data of 1.5 billion users being compromised.

These attacks can impact the trustworthiness of a business, the finances of workers, and the integrity of internal data.

How to stop data breaches?

Totality Services recommends five key tips that can help prevent security breaches and their subsequent danger.

The company suggests the tried and tested advice of thinking before clicking or taking action, before offering more specific advice:

• If a message seems strange, report it independently check the source of the email and find the senders’ website for more information.
• Research the legitimacy of a site you are looking at, particularly if it is an e-commerce website.
• Thirdly, be careful about sharing bank details. If you need to make an online transaction, use credit cards as they have more consumer protection measures than debit cards.
• There is also a need to be careful of the information you publicize or give away online, as it can be used in breaches.
• Finally, you should keep an eye on bank statements to ensure they are not being stolen from.

Technical director at Totality Services, Charlie Acfield, said: “The reality is most people aren’t aware of how their personal information is collected, stored, and used by many modern organizations.

“That said, with Data Privacy Week 2022 now kicking off, there’s no better opportunity for individuals and businesses to learn more about this topic.

“Unfortunately, fraudsters are getting better and better at what they do by the day. Cybercriminals and their attacks are increasingly more sophisticated, no longer do we see so many giveaways such as spelling errors or suspicious-looking links. Instead, they are researching and impersonating well-known companies and people.

“However, we hope by highlighting the above five simple – but important tips, people will be better able to educate themselves and be less likely to be caught unawares when conducting their business online.”