In January of each year I write an article to help you think about your Home, Electronic and Personal Security. This year I’m going to spend most of this article explaining how to protect yourself after the 2018 data breaches.

2018 was a bad year for the theft of our personal information due to hacks and breaches at many large companies. So, through no fault of your own, your name, email address, and passwords were stolen. In some cases, other personal information such as your address, phone number, and even medical information was exposed. This year I think it is very important that you dedicate some time to your electronic security. So what can you do to protect yourself and your data online?

Passwords:

For starters, each online account must have a separate, unique password. Must be at least 12 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Don’t make it a dictionary word. You’ll probably say how do I keep track of all these new passwords? The answer is a good password manager, there are many. I use DashLane to find one you like and it will make your life so much easier. They work across all platforms and devices, like your smartphone, tablet, and desktop.

Two-factor authentication:

This is where after you enter your unique password, the site will send a code to your smartphone via text or email. You’ll then enter that code into the site to gain access. This code is only active for a short period of time. You should use this on all financial sites at a minimum. If you use Facebook or Instagram a lot, take a good look at the information you have posted about yourself. Try looking at that information like a bad guy would, you might be surprised at what you find.

This year I spent a lot of space telling you how to protect yourself after the 2018 data breaches. Before I end this article, I want to make sure everyone is traveling safely, especially if they are leaving the United States. Always leave your itinerary with someone at home, along with copies of your passport and driver’s license. Purchase travel insurance that can help pay for any medical emergencies or emergency transportation back home. And finally, be aware of where you are, if your instinct tells you no, don’t go.