How can you secure remote user data on unsecured networks?

1 Use a VPN

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure server. This way, you can hide your IP address, location, and online activity from anyone who might be monitoring the network. A VPN also allows you to access geo-restricted or censored content, such as streaming services or news sites. To use a VPN, you need to install a VPN app on your device and connect to a server of your choice. Make sure you choose a reputable VPN provider that does not log your data or sell it to third parties.

2 Enable encryption

Encryption is a process that scrambles your data into unreadable code, so that only authorized parties can decrypt it with a key. This process can protect your data in transit and at rest, when sending, receiving, or storing it on your device or cloud. To enable encryption, you can use BitLocker or FileVault to encrypt your entire hard drive or partition, VeraCrypt or 7-Zip to encrypt individual files or folders, HTTPS Everywhere or SSL/TLS to encrypt your web browsing, Signal or WhatsApp to encrypt your messaging and calls, and ProtonMail or Tutanota to encrypt your email.

3 Update your software

Keeping your software updated is essential to prevent hackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities and bugs. Software updates often include security patches and fixes that can improve your device's performance and stability. You should update your operating system, browser, antivirus, firewall, VPN, and other applications regularly. You can also enable automatic updates or notifications to remind you when a new update is available.

4 Use strong passwords

Passwords are the first line of defense against unauthorized access to your data; however, many people use weak or reused passwords that are easy to guess or crack. To create strong passwords, you should use at least 12 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Additionally, avoid common words, names, dates, or sequences and use a different password for each account or service. To ensure the security of your passwords, consider using a password manager to generate and store them securely. Furthermore, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible.

5 Avoid phishing and malware

Phishing and malware are two common ways that hackers can steal your data or infect your device. Phishing is a type of scam that uses fake emails, websites, or messages to trick you into revealing your personal or financial information or clicking on malicious links or attachments. Malware is a type of software that can harm your device or data, such as viruses, ransomware, spyware, or keyloggers. To protect yourself from these threats, it's important to verify the sender, subject, and content of any email or message before opening or responding. Additionally, check the URL, spelling, and design of any website before entering or submitting any information. Furthermore, use a reputable antivirus and firewall to scan and block any suspicious files or activity. Moreover, avoid downloading or opening any files or links from unknown or untrusted sources and backup your data regularly to an external drive or cloud service.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?