Protecting Your Personal Information: Key Steps for Safeguarding Your Data in a Digital World
With the rise of cybersecurity and data privacy threats in our digital world, safeguarding your personal information is paramount. In fact, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center 2023 Data Breach Report, there were 2,365 cyberattacks last year alone, affecting 343,338,964 victims. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – the perfect time to arm yourself with the knowledge and tools you need to keep your personal data confidential and secure.
Let’s consider visual hacking as an example – the risk posed by the content on your screen being exposed to prying eyes while you work on your laptop or tablet in offices or public environments. For instance, when you’re typing on your laptop on a train or an aeroplane, you may notice someone looking over your shoulder to see what’s on your screen. While some of the information they might see could be harmless, imagine if it were sensitive data like a groundbreaking innovation you’ve been working on, or personal information such as your social security number or bank account details.
Here are some recommended tips to help protect yourself and your business from visual privacy risks:
While it’s not always possible to avoid working on the go or in public places, using a privacy screen is a simple and effective solution. Products like the Targus 4Vu Privacy Screens use vertical blinds on the screen’s surface to narrow the viewing angle, ensuring that data is only visible directly in front of the monitor – up to 30 degrees off-centre. This means that anyone trying to look from the side will only see a dark, blurred screen, even when the device is held in landscape orientation.
Designed to fit a variety of devices and screen sizes, Targus privacy screens are easy to attach directly to your laptop or tablet using adhesive strips and come with a cleaning cloth. These screens also help reduce glare, even in bright environments, and feature a dual finish – a glossy side for clearer viewing, and a matte side that reduces glare.
Perfect for touch screen devices, Targus privacy screens also include DefenseGuard™ Antimicrobial Protection, which creates a cleaner touchpoint surface and works continuously to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Unlike topically applied sprays, the antimicrobial additive is built into the screen and lasts for the product’s entire lifespan.
In today’s world, businesses are focusing on the latest technologies and services to combat cybercrime. However, physical security often remains overlooked, despite the significant risk posed by device theft. Did you know that over 600,000 laptops are stolen each year in the U.S. alone, with more than 1,000 laptops stolen every week at airports? (Source: Wifittalents.com). A Targus cable lock is an easy and cost-effective way to physically secure your laptop to a desk, table, or other surface when it is not in use or when left unattended.
Although device theft is not a daily occurrence, it still poses a serious risk. It’s surprisingly easy to gain access to critical industry information and data simply by sitting on a plane, for example. This leaves many organisations with significant gaps in their IT security efforts.
For businesses to implement an effective security strategy, they must go beyond relying solely on sophisticated software. Greater attention needs to be paid to physical security as well, given the considerable impact it can have on overall business security. For organisations to stay ahead of the curve in the security game, more urgency should be placed on the physical aspects of data security, often considered the ‘forgotten’ element of an otherwise holistic security approach.
