Data Privacy Day: Guide and Tips to Protect Data
Data Privacy Day happens on January 28 for people to realize the importance of keeping their data protected. Since hacks, malware and other threats are always emerging, there are ways on how to prevent one's data from being exposed to offenders.
One of the most important trivia that the public should know is that a data is not fully deleted when it is dragged to the recycle bin. Most PC users assume that when they do not see a certain file on their computer screen, it is already gone from the computer.
The data in the recycle bin is not actually erased. In an article by Forbes, the data is stored just like a library. Each book has a reference number that leads a user to search for its location. Unused books are still kept in the library, and can still be found by means of sophisticated ways. This is how it is with data deleted from the computer. The hard drive still keeps the file and can still be located.
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This is also applicable to USB and memory cards. It is good to know that deleting a file is not the same as formatting one. Formatting a removable media may seem to delete all the files in it, but it actually does not. This means important files can still be hacked. To make sure that a data saved in the removable media are gone for sure, it has to be connected to a computer where a software can detect files and remove it efficiently.
This should also be applied to smartphones and any other devices, especially when an owner wants it repaired. It is very important to erase all important data first before having the devices be manipulated by other people.
Other important steps to ensure data privacy are to avoid syncing a device to multiple PCs and asking for proof when closing a certain online account. As cliché as it sounds, prevention is definitely better than cure.
