Protecting personal data in the digital environment: rules and methods

Therefore, there is a growing need for protection against the risks that everyone may face.

Yevhen Kasyanenko, expert and head of KISS Software, explains: “Digital information is now highly valuable, and not only for large companies or industries. Most often, fraud occurs in start-ups or among entrepreneurs. After all, it is private individuals who often do not use a flexible system to control cybercrime.”

Today, our KISS Software team and leading experts will help you understand the importance of secure processing and protection of personal data.

Why is personal data protection more important than it seems?

In addition to the progress and development of systems, nanostructures, and AI, hackers are also improving their skills. Every year, millions of records are leaked, databases become open, and cybercriminals find ways to exploit them. According to these statistics, we can see that users clearly underestimate all the possible risks.

Frequent fraud by malicious actors leads to leaks, hacks, sales on the darknet, destruction of businesses and reputations, loss of money, and disclosure of private information. The main methods that allow fraudsters to obtain data are:

• Phishing – fake pages of original websites with forms for filling in private information.
• Malware – program codes and applications that read and copy personal data and send it to criminals.
• Database hacks – mass attacks on the databases of companies, firms, services, and corporations.
• Social engineering – coercive manipulation that forces the victim to disclose information.

Such schemes have consequences that may include:

1. Identity theft, which allows criminals to take out loans or implicate individuals in criminal cases.
2. Financial losses, where fraudsters gain access to online wallets, bank cards, and payment systems.

Such actions by malicious actors can lead to a negative reputation and the loss of a normal life. Therefore, ignoring cybersecurity issues is fraught with danger for everyone.

That’s why we at KISS Software help businesses implement reliable systems for personal data and its protection. Our developments feature the most accurate algorithms that can be updated and adapted to different systems.

Basic rules for protecting personal data

“First and foremost, you need to be able to manage your data online,” says Yevhen Kasyanenko.

This is the key to limiting unwanted access. The following steps will also help you avoid risks:

1. Choose unique and complex passwords.
2. Change your passwords regularly, at least once every six months, or better yet, every three months.
3. Use two-factor authentication.
4. Enter as little personal information as possible on websites.
5. Do not store passwords in digital format.

By following all the basic rules, you can protect yourself from risks and fraud.

How to protect yourself from phishing and data leaks?

Phishing is rapidly evolving and attacks are becoming more difficult to detect. Therefore, it is necessary to exercise caution and pay attention to:

• Website authenticity. Before entering any information, check that the address bar is official and that there are no errors or additional characters.
• Password managers. Do not use your browser’s autofill feature for passwords or accounts; instead, store your passwords in special applications.
• Verification services, such as Have I Been Pwned. Using such services helps track data leaks.

Encryption and secure data storage – practical tips

In our experience, encryption is one of the most reliable methods of protection. This has led us to develop several effective tips:

• When connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, it is best to use a VPN.
• Personal files should be encrypted.
• It is worth making backup copies of your data.

Technological means of personal data protection

From personal experience, we would like to say right away that although modern technologies can protect against online threats, it is still important not to neglect the competent selection of tools for this purpose.

Modern methods of personal data protection

First and foremost, it is worth paying attention to the following cyber protection options:

1. Antivirus software. Blocks malicious software and detects suspicious activity.
2. Complex password generators. Help encrypt access and store codes.
3. Email encryption tools. Help prevent phishing.

“An innovative method of anomaly analysis is artificial intelligence. It can prevent fraud and hacking because it responds quickly to suspicious activity,” emphasizes the expert.

Why is it important to entrust the protection of personal data to professionals?

It is important to understand that protection is not limited to installing antivirus software or changing passwords. These actions are just the basics for every user of Internet platforms. The real threat lies in errors in the configuration of information transmission channels and in ignoring modern technologies for optimizing protection. Incorrect configuration of services, broken algorithms and passwords, lags, and lack of encryption make any system vulnerable.

Only comprehensive solutions allow businesses to be fully protected. KISS Software has only high-profile cybersecurity specialists on its team. We use reliable and proven tools, conduct regular threat monitoring, and create programs and encryption applications for copying and storing data.

Our developments minimize all risks because they are based on cutting-edge technologies.

Conclusion: how to keep data safe?

Cybersecurity and confidential data protection involve many processes, where the foundation is proper development and the absence of errors, and the second step is protection. 

Yes, you can connect basic cyber protection tools yourself, but due to the regular emergence of more sophisticated threats, as well as AI, it is better not to take risks and use the services of professionals in this field who know exactly what vulnerabilities are likely to occur and can predict hackers’ moves in advance.

From the important points in general, we would like to highlight some simple recommendations for everyday use:

• Use modern data protection tools.
• Store passwords and access keys in encrypted form on external media.
• From time to time, have your security system diagnosed by trusted specialists.
• Enable 2FA, update your antivirus software, and change your passwords.
• Check the domain of the website you are visiting.
• When connecting to an open Wi-Fi network, it is best not to share personal data.
• Test your systems for errors during the development stage.

If you are unsure about the strength of your security system or application, suspect a leak, or want to secure your business, contact the specialists at KISS Software.