Data privacy is about how your personal information is collected, used, and shared. Data security is about protecting that information from unauthorized access. Security can exist without privacy, but privacy cannot exist without security. Both are essential for staying safe online.
Data privacy involves your rights to manage and control your personal information. You have data privacy rights and should take measures to secure your personal information and data within the digital environment. For example, when you download a new app, you are asked to agree to a privacy policy. This policy will detail what personal information the app is going to collect and how it will be used. It is up to you to decide if you agree to the terms.
There are laws designed to protect your data. Privacy laws focus on how sensitive information is handled, while security laws focus on protecting data from threats. Data is often categorized into types such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), and Intellectual Property (IP).
Once your data is online, you no longer have full control over it. Knowing what data is collected by an organization, how it’s protected, and who it’s shared with can help keep you safe. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” so here are simple ways to protect your data:
Share less personal information online.
Read privacy policies before agreeing to them.
Keep your Social Security number secure.
Use multifactor authentication.
Install and update security software.
Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi.
Secure your router and use a firewall.
Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
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