Data protection – How can I … ?

“It isn't just what you know, and it isn't just who you know. It's actually who you know, who knows you, and what you do for a living.” --Bob Burg, Author and Speaker

So how can I protect my data?

If you are a regular Internet user, this can be very difficult. Unlike the laws of physics, what goes up might not ever come down.

You are responsible for your data.

Who can see it, and who can access it.

So here we will give you some very easy and effective ways of protecting your data:

• Have a good, up-to-date security package that includes an anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall of some sort, as a minimum. Note that you’re pretty much throwing your money away if you don’t update this regularly.
• Practice safe passwording. As a general rule, passwords should be no less than eight characters, a mixture of upper and lower case, numbers and special characters and not include a word found in the dictionary, a name, or any variation on your email address. It’s best practice to use a different one for every site, even where privacy isn’t an issue.
• Back up, back up, back up. And if you’re wondering how often, the answer is: how much data can you afford to lose?
• Don’t share potentially sensitive information such as your birth-date, maiden name or place of birth, unless absolutely necessary. (This applies online and offline.)
• Don’t upload anything you wouldn’t be happy to share with the world, regardless of how secure a site claims to be. This goes for any site such as Facebook, LinkedIn or MySpace. Remember, the priority of a third-party site is to make money; it’s not to protect your data. If your priority is to make full use of the free services on offer then by all means, feel free to do so, but remember that the onus is on you not to put your data at risk.
• And of course, never, ever, ever send any kind of personal information to Nigerian princes or little old ladies, no matter how tragic their tale. Unless you’re fortunate enough to know them personally, of course.

Source: EYSM -Outcomes: How can I protect my data?