Ways to Tighten Up Your Security and Privacy in 2021

With 2020 finally in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take a look at changing some life fundamentals in 2021. So much has changed in the last year, so why not embrace a few more? One of the top things you should be looking to optimize during this age of heightened technological use is your security. Now more than ever, your data is being tracked and used by companies for all sorts of things. Here are some ways to better secure yourNow more than ever, your data is being tracked and used by companies for all sorts of things. Here are some ways to better secure your data this year. data this year.

Reduce Your Cloud Usage

Using the cloud is both quick and convenient, but it comes with some caveats. The more you use the cloud, the more you need to invest in cybersecurity.

If possible, reduce this usage by investing in things like external hard drives and docking bays to keep your data out of the cloud and inaccessible through the web. While this may seem like a pain, when it comes to sensitive or proprietary data, you’ll be at a significantly reduced risk of data breaches and theft. 

Ultimately, it’s a choice between investments; do you want to invest in more security for the data you store in the cloud, or would you rather invest in ways to keep that data out of the cloud? At the end of the day, data stored in the cloud will always carry data breach risks. 

Pay Close Attention to Cookies

While cookies aren’t inherently bad, they can go too far and track all of your browsing activity. They do this so they can better track and market to your browsing behavior. Notice how all of your Instagram ads feature items you’ve been searching for on the web? You can thank cookies for that. 

Be mindful of what you’re agreeing to when you accept cookies on a new site. If you aren’t sure what the cookies will be used for and can’t find what the website will use them for, try to find an alternative site that details their use of cookies and data. 

Cookies are some of the easiest ways websites and companies track our data, and most of them time we are manually agreeing to their usage. With various browsers, you can clear your cookies, cache, and site data. Do this often if you have concerns about cookies. 

Other brands are getting on board with consumer calls for better privacy and security, too. Apple is offering an iOS update that gives users the option to opt-out of being tracked on the web. Take a look at what tech brands are offering in the way of security settings to better optimize and protect your web privacy. 

Keep Track of Passwords in a More Secure Way

If you’re using different passwords for each site and app, as any cybersecurity expert would recommend, it’s hard to keep track of them all. Chances are, you’ve written them down or stored them in your notes someplace. 

This isn’t bad necessarily – there’s no way anybody would remember all of those different passwords. However, there is a more secure way. 

Write your password down, but leave off a single character at the end that you know you will remember. Perhaps it’s the same number or punctuation mark for every password; just make sure you’ll always recall which symbol, letter, or number it is. This is a great way to store your passwords without the risk of someone breaching your accounts if they were to get a hold of your list.