Introduction
So another year has come and gone and another list of personal resolutions start cropping up on the Internet like remixes of the “BED INTRUDER SONG”. This one is no different. In a year that has showed that Stuxnet virus could potentially harm people in the real world by affecting infrastructure and DDOS attacks both allied and against Wikileaks emerge as a form of “hacktivism”, taking a look at resolutions for information security in your personal life should resonate. I’ve comprised a short list of resolutions to consider for the new year to protect yourself. The playbook for each is simple: Take Inventory and Take Action.
1. Data Protection
Take Inventory
Knowing is half the battle (or so G.I. Joe and his marketers want you to think). Understanding what information you store on your computer and Internet will give you a better understanding on how to protect it. The following categories are a guideline to follow. You can add in classifications as necessary.
Personal – Information that you would not share with anyone outside of your family or immediate social circle. Think photographs, videos, drawings and poems.
Private – Any information that if compromised, could reveal personal information about yourself that you do not share with anyone. This type of information could be used in conjunction with publicly available data sources to attempt to steal your identity.
Classified – Any information that if put in the wrong hands, could comprise your well being. Think financial information, social security numbers, investments and tax returns. This is the most prized possession for an identity thief to access since little additional information is required to steal your identity.
Take Action
Now that you understand the type of data you possess, it’s time to put countermeasures in place to protect your data.