Contact us today!
866-348-2602

Total Tech Care Blog

Total Tech Care has been serving Florida since 2001, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Why You Need to Keep an Eye on Your Data

Why You Need to Keep an Eye on Your Data

When a company operates primarily via the Internet, there seems to be an inherent trust that their audience naturally has. There’s little-to-no doubt that all promises will be kept and that all data shared with them will be fully secured, but is this confidence appropriately placed? While we can’t speak to the promises these companies make, we can weigh in on some common data security practices.

How a Company Acquires Your Data

For a company to get your data, all they really have to do is ask you for it. Think about what happens each time you make a purchase online, or even create an account—you’re handing over your contact information, and usually pairing it to one of your financial resources.

Obviously, you’re subconsciously entrusting them with this information, assuming that they will keep it sufficiently protected and secure.

Here’s the thing: not all companies are totally deserving of this trust. Quite a few companies will make some extra money by bundling their contact lists and selling them off to other companies. This is considered a common enough practice but is fortunately looked upon more and more negatively as data protection is being prioritized more.

Even if this practice goes away, you still have no control over the company’s data security practices. Consider what information of yours could be exposed if that company was to be breached:

  • Your name
  • Your birthday
  • Your credit card information
  • Your contact information

These are all forms of personally identifiable information (PII), and this isn’t even a comprehensive list of the data that these companies will collect. Plus, if they were to suffer a data breach, the onus is still on you.

One of the biggest flaws of the Internet today is the questionable privacy of any activity. Anything you do on the Internet adds to a massive data trail that describes you, from the content you’ve streamed, the messages you’ve sent, everything.

As you might imagine, there’s a lot of value to be had from this kind of data.

How to Protect Yourself by Protecting Your Data

Due to this data’s value, you must do everything you can to protect it. Here are a few good ways to start:

  1. Use good passwords: Password hygiene and resiliency is the part of your online security that you have the most control over, so make sure that you aren’t taking any shortcuts that will undercut their effectiveness in protecting your accounts. Passphrases are often considered a more secure, but easier-to-remember, alternative to the password.

  2. Review the Terms of Service: For each account you’ve created, you need to check the fine print to see how they are using the data you provide.

  3. Track your finances: One of the most effective ways to find out if your security has been undermined is to keep an eye on your financial activities. Find a resource you can trust to give you these insights.

  4. Avoid public Wi-Fi whenever possible: Public Wi-Fi signals are a favorite hunting ground for many cyberattacks. Your data plan is a much safer alternative to these.

Total Tech Care has the experience and know-how to keep your business safe from many cyberattacks. To learn more about how we can help, reach out to us at 866-348-2602.

 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Thursday, 24 April 2025
If you'd like to register, please fill in the username, password and name fields.

Blog Archive

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

  • First Name *
  • Last Name *

      Free Consultation

      Sign up today for a
      FREE Network Consultation

      How secure is your IT infrastructure?
      Let us evaluate it for free!

      Sign up Now!

      Free Consultation
       

      Tag Cloud

      Security Tip of the Week Technology Best Practices Business Computing Cloud Privacy Hackers Productivity Hosted Solutions Efficiency Software Business Google Network Security Microsoft Internet Email Malware Backup Workplace Tips Innovation Data User Tips Computer Mobile Devices IT Services Hardware Disaster Recovery Android VoIP communications Business Continuity Smartphones Communication IT Support Smartphone Miscellaneous Mobile Device Small Business Network Browser Productivity Collaboration Cybersecurity Quick Tips Business Management Users Upgrade Phishing Windows Managed IT Services Outsourced IT Ransomware Data Backup Windows 10 Office Cloud Computing Server Save Money Data Recovery Windows 10 Passwords Saving Money Holiday Gadgets Tech Term Social Media Chrome Virtualization Managed IT Services Managed Service Automation Microsoft Office Facebook Artificial Intelligence Operating System Cybercrime Computers Internet of Things BYOD Mobile Device Management Networking Wi-Fi IT Support Hacking Health Office 365 Covid-19 Information Telephone Systems Alert Information Technology Managed Service Provider Remote Spam BDR Bandwidth Recovery Employer-Employee Relationship Social Engineering Mobility Router Law Enforcement Application App History Password Money Big Data Human Resources Encryption Applications Data Breach Remote Monitoring Mobile Computing Paperless Office Private Cloud Office Tips How To Managed IT Training VPN Apps Data Storage Patch Management Remote Computing Mobile Office Blockchain Government Avoiding Downtime IT solutions Entertainment Website Budget Data Security Wireless Infrastructure Voice over Internet Protocol Bring Your Own Device Data Management Gmail Work/Life Balance Settings Vulnerability Windows 7 Two-factor Authentication Word Google Drive Flexibility Mouse Servers HaaS Marketing WiFi Meetings Managed Services Software as a Service Display Telephone System Staff Machine Learning USB Connectivity Remote Work Risk Management Hacker Employee/Employer Relationship Save Time RMM The Internet of Things Lithium-ion battery Cleaning Data Protection Conferencing Firewall End of Support Education Physical Security Scam Virtual Reality Safety Apple HIPAA Sports Redundancy Social Keyboard Vendor Management Vendor User Error Printer YouTube Charger Black Market Bluetooth Wearable Technology Remote Workers Hard Drives Compliance Retail Instant Messaging Processor OneNote Computer Care Update Current Events Robot Excel Document Management Telephony Biometrics Hard Drive Solid State Drive Wireless Technology Samsung How to Google Docs Downtime IT Consultant Virtual Desktop Identity Theft Value Data storage Humor DDoS Computing Automobile Spam Blocking Electronic Medical Records SharePoint Augmented Reality Fraud Computing Infrastructure Hiring/Firing Going Green Digital Signage Remote Worker Customer Service Environment Cryptocurrency Battery Fax Server Shadow IT Procurement Legal Business Intelligence Comparison Net Neutrality SaaS Workplace Strategy Virus Audit Internet Exlporer Worker Help Desk CES IT Management Printing Unified Threat Management Computer Accessories Network Congestion Botnet PDF eWaste Business Technology Content Management IT Plan Access Control Managed Services Provider Proactive IT Virtual Assistant Unsupported Software Authentication Database Best Practice Experience Cost Management Cables Windows Server 2008 R2 Supercomputer Customer relationships Social Networking Scalability Software Tips Nanotechnology IT Assessment Business Owner Sync Telecommuting Manufacturing Emails Project Management Email Best Practices Printer Server Cortana NarrowBand Security Cameras Running Cable Computer Tips Digital Signature Managed IT Service Search OneDrive Memory Biometric Security iPhone Netflix Two Factor Authentication Warranty Virtual CIO HVAC Peripheral Google Apps Root Cause Analysis HBO Knowledge Music Digital Security Cameras Analysis Using Data Devices Copiers Skype 5G Files Administrator Chromecast Enterprise Content Management Quick Tip Data loss Outlook Science Smartwatch Leadership Troubleshooting MSP Ergonomics Accountants Microchip Thought Leadership Development Start Menu Credit Cards OLED Colocation Uninterrupted Power Supply Loyalty Password Management PCI DSS Password Manager Virtual Machine Screen Mirroring Fiber Optics Frequently Asked Questions Multi-Factor Security Employee Monitor Books Distributed Denial of Service 2FA Customer Relationship Management Search Engine Twitter Messaging Mobile Analyitcs Cabling Windows 10s Consultant Analytics NIST Policy Programming Business Mangement Hypervisor Cast Smart Tech Trend Micro Tip of the week Trending Reputation webinar Streaming Media Emergency Dark mode Addiction SMS Content Professional Services Amazon Default App Public Cloud Tech Support Employer Employee Relationship Best Available Laptop Assessment WIndows 7 Antivirus Procedure Recycling Saving Time Techology Practices Shopping Windows Server 2008 Windows 8 Google Search Customers Wiring dark theme IT service Cache AI Audiobook Tools Amazon Web Services IT Infrastructure Bing Touchpad Television Safe Mode FinTech Criminal Hosted Computing Social Network Tablet GDPR Domains Wireless Internet Politics Online Shopping Investment Advertising Public Computer User PowerPoint File Sharing Employees Windows Media Player Employee/Employer Relationships Inventory Regulations Specifications ISP Notifications Transportation IaaS Camera Windows 365 Maintenance Wire Video Conferencing Bloatware Evernote ROI Computer Fan Rootkit Travel Shortcuts Managing Stress Sales Bitcoin Personal Tablets Millennials Cryptomining Relocation Workers Benefits Printers Point of Sale Cameras Smart Office Supply Chain Management Entrepreneur Wireless Charging FENG IBM Monitoring Batteries Video Games Digitize Worker Commute Flash Workforce Smart Technology Virtual Private Network Windows 8.1 Shortcut

      Top Blog

      The reasoning for this is simple: you want to make sure that operations are proceeding as intended, even if you’re not there. If you completely check out from the workplace every time you leave, you could return from your vacation to a complete and total disaster that may have been prevented with y...
      QR-Code