4 Ways to Keep Information on Your Tech Products Secure

**Collaborative post**

In today’s ever-growing digital age, more people than ever are storing data on computers. The only downside to all this instant access to crucial information is that online criminals want access to it, too. 

Here are four ways to keep information on your tech products secure. 

1. Protect Your Devices and Accounts With Strong Password Strategies

You might hear IT experts recommend creating strong passwords and changing them regularly. There is a good reason for that: it works. Cybercriminals count on you to create passwords based on a person’s name or a simple set of numbers and other weak password protocols. You can bet that they try the path of least resistance first and often succeed in their cyberattacks because people have defaulted to these simple passwords. To create a strong password, make sure it contains letters, numbers and symbols, and does not contain common words or dates, like birthdays.

2. Encrypt Your Data

Encryption has become an essential tool for keeping data safe today. Whether using your computer at the airport or a cafe, or you need to back up your server at home or work, encryption makes your data unreadable by an unauthorized third-party intercepting it. The data only becomes readable again once it arrives in the virtual hands of your intended recipient. Fortunately, much of today’s software technology, such as Windows, comes with built-in encryption functionality. All you need to do is find it and use it all the time.

3. Use 2-Step Authentication 

Think about the security features that Google, Twitter, Facebook and PayPal use when you sign in to your account. You often have to do at least one additional step than using your password, especially if the platform suspects the person signing in is not you. With Twitter, for example, you might have to verify your telephone number, receiving a text on your mobile device with a code that you must enter before being allowed entry to your account. Lifehack recommends you add a step to your security anywhere your confidential information is stored, such as bank accounts, social media platforms and eCommerce websites. 

4. Invest in a Designated Identity Protection Plan 

A vital strategy more tech product users are employing today is investing in specific identity protection through the LifeLock Ultimate Plus product. While you still need to perform certain safety protocols to stay vigilant and in practice, LifeLock can take care of the rest when it comes to robust identity protection. Here are a few services it provides to keep your identity out of thieves’ hands: 

• Bank account access and takeover alerts
• Checking and savings account application alerts
• Credit application alerts 
• Monthly credit score tracking 

With LifeLock, you can keep working without having to wait to see your monthly banking statement or perform regular manual credit checks on yourself to know your identity is secure.

Keeping Your Information Secure Keeps You Safe From Relentless Cybercriminals

Cybercriminals only become more advanced, so you’ll always need to stay vigilant and proactive when it comes to protecting your information. By taking a few key steps like creating strong passwords and two-factor authentication, using available encryption and investing in an identity protection plan, you can take comfort that you are throwing up all the right obstacles to keep hackers at bay.