This July 4th we’re celebrating the 250th Birthday of America, so it seems only fitting that we compile a list of some of the most important cybersecurity/privacy tips we’ve given over time and use them to spell out “America!”
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and PII (Personally Identifiable Information) are closely intertwined, presenting both opportunities and challenges. AI models often process PII to provide personalized services, recommendations, and automated assistance. Whether it’s for shopping or web searches, AI has many benefits. Still, this reliance on PII means that it’s important to understand the privacy concerns and AI’s inherent risk of data breaches.
Make sure you think twice before clicking on links or opening attachments, even if they look like they're from someone you know. If you’re not sure, contact the sender by a method you know is legitimate to confirm they sent it.
Ensure security by using strong, unique passwords or passphrases for each of your accounts. It’s also important to use multifactor authentication for an additional layer of security.
Review the annual privacy policies from the companies with whom you do business. A privacy policy is a document contained on a website that explains how a website or organization will collect, store, protect, and utilize personal information provided by its users. In addition to outlining how the company will use the information, it also includes how it will meet its legal obligations, and how those sharing their data can seek recourse should the company fail to meet those responsibilities.
Images and videos aren’t always what they seem. A deepfake is a video or picture created by using computer software that looks almost indistinguishable from the real deal. Deepfakes have several uses, including movie production, but not all deepfake technology is benign. Deepfake pictures or videos can be used to make politicians and other public figures do or say anything, spreading falsehoods, destroying a company’s reputation, interfering with elections, and altering public health initiatives. In your personal life, hackers can scrape your social media accounts and create a realistic deepfake of you. Then, they can steal your identity or cause harm to your friends and family.
Cookies are small pieces of data used to remember information about your browsing session, like login details or preferences. They can be used for session management, personalization, and tracking user behavior. While they can enhance the user experience, they can also raise privacy concerns, so choose your options carefully.
Always remember that everything you do online creates a digital footprint, so set your expectations and privacy settings accordingly.
Thank you for reviewing these important tips! Here’s your chance to win a $300 Amazon gift card… Just answer the following correctly and you’ll be entered to win!
Contest Rules: No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. One entry per person. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Employees and family members of PenTeleData and their affiliates are ineligible. This contest is open to legal residents in PenTeleData territories only. One winner will be randomly selected from correct entries and will be announced after the selection on or about July 31, 2026. In the event that the selected winner cannot be contacted or fails to respond within 24 hours of our initial notification, the prize will be awarded to an alternate winner selected from the remaining eligible entries. Odds of winning will depend on number of correct entries. Winners must grant permission for PenTeleData to use his/her name, statements and image in future promotions, without compensation. All PenTeleData decisions and prize awards are final. Prizes will not be substituted and are not refundable, transferable, or redeemable for cash. Winner is responsible for all taxes on prize.