As technology evolves we are amazed at what is possible. With technological advances comes an increase in the amount and type of personal information or data being stored on servers that can be subpoenaed, sold to third parties, or leaked to the media at any time. Most people are not willing to forgo the conveniences afforded by new technology. What can be done to protect your data and privacy while still enjoying the capabilities of new technology? Here is a list of best practices for improving your data privacy.
1. Don’t wait for a catastrophe to think about privacy
Most individuals or businesses think about privacy after something really bad happens. After the Snowden leak in 2014 many privacy enhancing technologies got a huge surge in the number of users. Determine the best practices to follow and every week or month go through your checklist to ensure that your data is being kept private.
2. Use services that are designed to protect user data
Tired of your every move being used to serve you relevant ads. There are many services that are designed from the ground up to protect user data. Here are a few examples of services that are designed to increase your privacy. Stay up to date with technologies that provide functionality while enhancing your privacy
Secure Texting - Signal App is an open source app which fully encrypts messages end to end and doesn’t store any metadata, contact lists, or message content. Both sender and receiver must have the signal app downloaded to realize the full privacy benefits.
Secure phone - Blackphone is a smartphone that is designed from the ground up with privacy in mind. A few key privacy features to mention is Internet access is provided through a virtual private network and the phone runs a secure operating system called SilentOS
Secure email - Photon mail has end to end encryption where even the company cannot decrypt and read your email. The company is incorporated in Switzerland and all servers are in Switzerland and protected by Swiss privacy laws. No personal information is required to create the email account.
3. Back up your data
The idea of always have a backup of your data available if you lose your phone or computer is wonderful. Many of you have lost or broken a device and have recovered a project or book and realizes the benefit of this capability. A personal backup is an improvement in privacy as no one else has access to your data except you. However, this only works if you actually back up your data. So, set a schedule and religiously back up your data. SyncThing and BitTorrent Sync and examples of two apps that can be used to back up data from your phone to a computer.
4. Secure Search
Often users have embraced the concept that whenever you search on the internet that ads relevant to your search will pop up in your social media feed and on your search engine. You can use a secure search engine like DuckDuckgo which doesn’t track you and hence has no personal information to use or sell. You can also add extensions on your web browser to block trackers and ads. Ghostery and Privacy Badger are examples of two extensions that can be added to your browser to increase your privacy.
Members of DAF Technologies regularly partner with businesses to utilize emerging technology to exceed their goals. We identify opportunities for innovation, research and identify recommended emerging technologies, and pilot and integrate new technologies into business processes. Let us help you leverage artificial intelligence, internet of things, and other emerging technologies to innovate and endure. If you have questions, please contact Director, Innovation & Technology Faith Davis at 301.541.8569 or [email protected]
1. Don’t wait for a catastrophe to think about privacy
Most individuals or businesses think about privacy after something really bad happens. After the Snowden leak in 2014 many privacy enhancing technologies got a huge surge in the number of users. Determine the best practices to follow and every week or month go through your checklist to ensure that your data is being kept private.
2. Use services that are designed to protect user data
Tired of your every move being used to serve you relevant ads. There are many services that are designed from the ground up to protect user data. Here are a few examples of services that are designed to increase your privacy. Stay up to date with technologies that provide functionality while enhancing your privacy
Secure Texting - Signal App is an open source app which fully encrypts messages end to end and doesn’t store any metadata, contact lists, or message content. Both sender and receiver must have the signal app downloaded to realize the full privacy benefits.
Secure phone - Blackphone is a smartphone that is designed from the ground up with privacy in mind. A few key privacy features to mention is Internet access is provided through a virtual private network and the phone runs a secure operating system called SilentOS
Secure email - Photon mail has end to end encryption where even the company cannot decrypt and read your email. The company is incorporated in Switzerland and all servers are in Switzerland and protected by Swiss privacy laws. No personal information is required to create the email account.
3. Back up your data
The idea of always have a backup of your data available if you lose your phone or computer is wonderful. Many of you have lost or broken a device and have recovered a project or book and realizes the benefit of this capability. A personal backup is an improvement in privacy as no one else has access to your data except you. However, this only works if you actually back up your data. So, set a schedule and religiously back up your data. SyncThing and BitTorrent Sync and examples of two apps that can be used to back up data from your phone to a computer.
4. Secure Search
Often users have embraced the concept that whenever you search on the internet that ads relevant to your search will pop up in your social media feed and on your search engine. You can use a secure search engine like DuckDuckgo which doesn’t track you and hence has no personal information to use or sell. You can also add extensions on your web browser to block trackers and ads. Ghostery and Privacy Badger are examples of two extensions that can be added to your browser to increase your privacy.
Members of DAF Technologies regularly partner with businesses to utilize emerging technology to exceed their goals. We identify opportunities for innovation, research and identify recommended emerging technologies, and pilot and integrate new technologies into business processes. Let us help you leverage artificial intelligence, internet of things, and other emerging technologies to innovate and endure. If you have questions, please contact Director, Innovation & Technology Faith Davis at 301.541.8569 or [email protected]
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