Journal 1, May 31

Are You Prone to Data Theives?

In today’s day and age, people have become extremely reliant on the technology they possess. This reliance creates a more vulnerable state for which they are to live in. Meaning, there are people out there who can hack into your personal devices, whether it’s a laptop or smart phone, and retrieve all your most prized data. An article published on CNN.com, entitled “How to safeguard your data as you travel,” speaks on ways in which one can protect themselves from having their information stolen or breached. Many people use “hotspots” located in local diners, airports, and other high traffic areas in order to check personal accounts and business related issues. By doing this, some believe you could be putting yourself at risk by being connected to the same network at someone who may be seeking to gain the data on your personal device. Others believe that if someone wants it bad enough, there is absolutely no way to avoid this situation. Professionals familiar with the subject claim that by encrypting your computer or smart phone with a password you can dramatically reduce the risk to which you are exposed to when using a public internet access. It is also highly recommended that you use a screen protector on your laptop to prevent others from looking at your screen as well as keeping a close eye on your belongings. However, like I previously mentioned, if someone wants your information bad enough, they will find away to obtain it.

I personally think that people should not live in fear of their information being stolen. What’s going to happen will, in fact, happen. However, by taking the necessary precautions, you can reduce the risk you are exposed to tremendously. This may mean saving highly confidential data on a highly secured network or even a personal USB. A majority of companies that constantly work with confidential information on a daily basis, such as large corporations, have adopted multiple software and security programs to ensure their clients information is safe as does not get leaked or spread throughout the public. According to infoworld.com, (http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/guard-your-data-against-insider-threats-145) these companies have programs that can actually detect when one of their operating software is inappropriately used or sketchy information is saved to a USB. Programs like these ensure that information is kept where it is suppose to be and moved only to places it is needed for honest business use and not fraudulent activities. With that said, I am a strong advocate for properly securing your personal information as well as any information a company may withhold in order to fully minimize the risk one faces everyday by using any high-tech device.

-Jon Ferrer

Article used:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/business.travel/05/28/computer.security/index.html

Additional References:
http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/guard-your-data-against-insider-threats-145