The Quickfire Guide to Data
Encryption In 2021

We generate more 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every
day – and yes, that includes you.

There is a high chance that you did not know you were
churning out this much daily data or even how important the data is in the
first place. From checking your online banking apps to logging into your favorite
internet-based apps and accounts, though, all of that data can be stolen and
mined for sensitive information about you.

This is where data encryption comes into the mix.

What Is Data Encryption?

As the name implies, this refers to the process of
locking data down such that only authorized personnel and individuals can get
access.

In other words, data encryption refers to the
processes involved in ensuring your data does not get into the wrong hands and
can only be unlocked by other relevant users.

Without data encryption, hackers would have a field day
in stealing your social security numbers from government institutions,
downloading your health history, hijacking your financial data from banks, and
much more.

Ways to Encrypt Your Data In 2021

The good news is that you don’t have to go all-out to
encrypt your data.

Here are some simple, DIY tips and tricks to better
data encryption.

Tip #1 – Set Secure Passwords

The data on your devices (phones, laptops, etc) are
highly important too. We store a lot of information about ourselves on these
mobile units these days and they should not get into the wrong hands.

The same is true for all of your online accounts –
from cloud storage to financial services and social media.

Get a password manager to store all of your unique
passwords so that you are never tempted to use the same password more than
once.

Tip #2 – Encrypt your network

Before anything else, make sure to stay off public or
free Wi-Fi networks.

The providers of such networks can usually see
anything you are doing. That, and we have not mentioned the lack of encryption
on public Wi-Fi that makes it easier for hackers to hijack your connection.

Consider using a VPN to
browse the web – either with or without a public Wi-Fi
connection – for a better chance at online safety.

Tip #3 – Choose IMs wisely

WhatsApp got into hot water with its users earlier
this year because of a controversial privacy policy that the company released.
That tells you how much your choice of IM could also affect your privacy.

If your IM of choice does not offer end-to-end
encryption, at least, now is the time to move to another
provider.

Final Words

You can also check the built-in encryption programs
that your phones/ computers/ other connected devices come with. Likewise,
consider using 2FA on all of your accounts to provide yet another layer of
security to you.

Finally, always be on the lookout for possible data
breaches so that you never fall victim to the tricks of hackers and scammers
alike.