Saving Private Data: 3 Ways To Keep Data Secure Online

Since about 69% of Americans have purchased products online at least once, private data like credit card numbers and passwords need to be stored safely and protected online. While most companies use secure data transport methods to protect users' data, it can be challenging as the number of users shopping online grows steadily each year. It is important for consumers to use methods to safely encrypt their data as they share information and increase their interactions online. 

When you are filling out forms that call for sensitive information online, consider using a virtual private network, better known as a VPN. VPNs use firewalls and encryption to hide your traffic online and keep your data from exposure to potential identity thieves. As you are setting up your information to be transferred through a website, a VPN keeps the thieves from seeing exactly what you are doing and where you are located, frustrating their ability to successfully grab your private data.

The more time people spend online, the more passwords are created for their online accounts. A place to store this information becomes all the more necessary since it can be challenging to remember every account's password. Online data storage works much like a USB drive by storing any data that space will allow. It differs in that it can be accessed virtually anywhere a person has a laptop, smartphone, or tablet and an internet connection. This leaves online drives susceptible to hackers looking to take your data and use it to your detriment. This is why encryption services are being offered to accompany online drive services or are being built right into the service. This significantly decreases the hacker's ability to unencrypt the information that you use or share from the cloud drive.

If you are particularly wary of saving your passwords or other sensitive information using online storage, sticking to a USB drive is perfectly fine. However, the chances of you losing the drive are higher. This is why encrypting the data on your USB drive would be in your best interest. There are many services that provide encryption for free or for a cost. Alternatively, you can opt to purchase a USB drive that has built-in encryption. This way, if you lose your USB drive with sensitive data, the person who takes it and wants to use it maliciously will have a harder time trying to access that data.

Talk to a company that offers secure data transport to learn more.