How Cloud Storage Is Changing the Way We Think About Online Security

Cloud storage is a convenient and efficient way to store and access our data online. We can sync our photos, documents, contacts, and more across different devices and platforms. We can also use cloud services to pay for goods, book travel, or stream entertainment. But how secure is our personal data in the cloud? And what are the risks and trade-offs of using cloud storage?

You may have seen John McAfee’s interview1, where he claimed that the government and big corporations are spying on us through our devices and cloud accounts. While his claims may seem exaggerated or paranoid, they raise some valid concerns about our online privacy and security. Our personal data is now stored somewhere in the cloud with the big data providers like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and many Asian providers2. How do we know if our personal data is safe? We don’t, and that’s scary.

According to a report by Risk Based Security, there were 3,932 publicly reported data breaches in the first nine months of 2020, exposing over 36 billion records3. Some of these breaches involved cloud services, such as the Zoom hack that exposed 500,000 user credentials4 or the MGM Resorts breach that leaked the personal details of 10.6 million guests5. These breaches can have serious consequences for the victims, such as identity theft, financial loss, or reputational damage.

But what is the alternative? Giving up the convenience of having our data on iCloud, Google, or other cloud services? Going back to paper money and not storing any data with our helpful tools we use daily? That seems unrealistic and impractical in today’s digital world. We need to find a balance between convenience and security, and that means being more aware and proactive about protecting our online data.

One thing that is becoming clear is that the old statement of “if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about” is now obviously flawed and needs to change. If hackers can get to our personal data, they could take everything, including our life savings and ruin our day, to say the least. We can’t rely on the cloud providers or the government to safeguard our data. We need to take responsibility for our own online security and privacy.

So what is the answer? For now, we need to think before we sync our personal data with providers, websites, etc. We need to ask ourselves: Do we really need to share this information? How sensitive is this information? How trustworthy is this provider? How secure is this connection? We need to take some preventive measures, such as:

• Share less information with apps and services. Only provide the minimum information required and avoid giving out sensitive data, such as your social security number, bank account details, or medical records. You can also use fake or disposable email addresses, phone numbers, or usernames when signing up for online services that you don’t trust or need6.
• Use strong and unique passwords with two-factor authentication (2FA). A strong password is long, complex, and random, and a unique password is different for each account. You can use a password manager tool to generate and store your passwords securely. You can also enable 2FA, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code or a biometric verification (such as a fingerprint or a face scan) to access your account7.
• Tighten privacy settings on your social media accounts. You can limit who can see your posts, photos, or profile information, and opt out of features that track your location, activity, or preferences. You can also review and delete any old or unwanted posts, photos, or tags that may expose your personal data8.
• Delete unused accounts, apps, and browser extensions. You may have signed up for online services that you no longer use or need, or downloaded apps or extensions that you don’t remember or trust. These can pose a security risk, as they may have access to your data or device. You can use tools like Account Killer or Just Delete Me to find and delete your unused accounts, and uninstall any apps or extensions that you don’t use or recognize9.
• Stop search engines from tracking you. Search engines like Google or Bing can collect and store your search history, location, device information, and more. They can use this data to personalize your search results, ads, and recommendations, but they can also share it with third parties or authorities. You can use privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo or Qwant, which don’t track or store your data, or use incognito or private browsing modes, which don’t save your browsing history or cookies10.
• Use a VPN to hide your browsing history. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that encrypts and routes your internet traffic through a remote server, hiding your IP address and location from anyone who might be watching. This can protect your data from hackers, ISPs, advertisers, or government agencies, especially when you use public Wi-Fi networks. You can use a VPN to access geo-restricted content, such as Netflix or BBC iPlayer, or to bypass censorship or surveillance in some countries.

These are some of the steps you can take to protect your privacy and personal information online. They may not guarantee 100% security, but they can reduce the risks and give you more control over your data. What do you think? Do you have any other tips or suggestions? Let me know in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family, so they can also learn how to stay safe online. ??

1: John McAfee Final Interview While on the Run 2: How Cloud Storage Is Changing the Way We Think About Online Security 3: 2020 Q3 Data Breach QuickView Report 4: Hackers put more than half a million Zoom login details for sale on dark web 5: MGM Resorts says data breach exposed some guests’ personal information 6: How To Protect Your Personal Information & Privacy Online 7: 15 Internet Safety Tips and Internet Safety Rules 8: How to Tighten Up Your Privacy Settings on Social Media 9: How to Delete Yourself from the Internet 10: How to Stop Google From Tracking You on the Web : What is a VPN? How It Works, Types of VPN