đź’ˇ TL, DR:
- Data security refers to measures to protect information from danger, threat, or harm.
- Data privacy mentions the right to be free from being intruded on or interfered with.
- Data privacy and security are equally important.
- There are 5 common ways to enhance data protection: turn on the VPN, encrypt data, use a firewall, lock devices when not in use, and disable automatic installation.
Tech experts from everywhere mentioned “security” and “privacy”, but have you ever thought about the differences between these terms? Which is more important?
Scroll down this article to discover in-depth about data security and privacy, then learn how to protect your data on the online platform.
An overview about data security
First, we need to clarify what data security is.
In short, “security” in the digital environment refers to protecting information from danger, threat, or harm. People can use “data security” interchangeably with data safety.
When it comes to data security, we refer to the measures taken to protect the information from being attacked, stolen, or taken advantage of for unauthorized uses. In other words, maintaining data security is keeping private data from unauthorized access.
So, is data security worth worrying about? The answer is Yes. According to the Earthweb website, there will be 30,000 websites hacked worldwide every day in 2022. Such a significant number, right?
Technology is growing daily, which results in more sophisticated cyber attack methods. Every company and individual should put emphasis on data security to avoid falling victim to data breaches.
An overview about data privacy
What about data privacy? Theoretically, “data privacy” mentions the right to be free from being intruded on or interfered with.
Everyone demands freedom from being tracked, followed, and judged. In addition to the fact that freedom is the human’s basic need, being traced may lead to dire consequences.
For example, scammers can use one’s private information (address, bank account number, phone number, etc.) for illegal purposes like gambling and identity theft. A government agency’s data breach can put a nation’s top secret to the enemy state, and vice versa.
In short, data privacy is not only necessary but a must!
Data security vs. privacy: Quick comparison
Similarities
In terms of notion, both security and privacy refer to the status of keeping data inaccessible from outsiders and unauthorized users. They are also related to the state of not being tracked by others.
Apart from that, they are two different concepts that we will dive deep into in the next part.
Differences
| Privacy | Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The right to be free from being intruded on or interfered with. | How the information is protected from danger, threat, or harm. |
| Refer to | The right to control how confidential, sensitive private information is stored and used | Measures taken to protect the information from being attacked, stolen, or taken advantage of for unauthorized uses |
| Example of violation | Organizations sell customers’ data to a third party without their consent. | Attackers successfully access the system to take users’ data and profit from it or use it for purposes that are harmful to the data owner. |
Data privacy vs. security – Which is more important?
Theoretically, data security and privacy are equally important. Everyone demands to be free, and they need protection from being attacked in the online environment.
However, as mentioned in “How mobile apps collect your data,” it is hard to find companies that won’t get users’ personal information and analyze it for business purposes. In the digital era, there is no absolute data privacy.
However, it doesn’t mean that your data is not secured while using these mobile apps. Your data is only collected for internal uses, and the app providers still protect it from outside attackers. That is the typical case scenario nowadays when data privacy is not much confirmed, but security still is.
How to protect your data security and privacy?
Use a VPN when in public
VPN means virtual private networks, which means the VPN apps will create a fake IP so that internet service providers and web hosters can’t track your browser history and authentic personal information. People usually use this app to get access to websites that are restricted based on IP location.
However, you can also use VPN to protect your data privacy. By making up an imaginary profile, your device’s information, along with your data, won’t be traced by Internet providers.
Disable automatic update and download
If you are using at least one digital device like a laptop or phone, you must be familiar with the notification of “updated needed” for applications. For some people, to avoid annoyance, they choose the automatic update feature, which means the applications will be updated without notice.
However, we suggest you not choose this way. Why so?
In every update, besides product improvement, there is a possible high rate of changes in access requests. For example, the old version didn’t require location access, but the new version has, etc.
When you allow the app to be updated and installed automatically on your phone, you may also provide consent for those apps to access other features of your phone which may contain sensitive information. And this is the closest way to lose your data privacy.
Use firewall
What is a firewall? In short, the firewall is a network’s security system that controls incoming and outcoming network activities based on preset security rules.
With a firewall, your device will be prevented from malware and harmful content that may attack your data. Therefore, using a firewall is an excellent way to keep privacy and security in the online world.
Lock your tablet devices when not in use
This is the basic and easiest way to protect your privacy. There is no need to explain deeply since it is so apparent – when not in use, turn off your screen and lock your device to prevent others from peeping at your work.
Typically, people turn off the screen or get the machine to sleep when they are away for a while – but the better way is still locking and limiting access to your ongoing work so that people won’t even have a chance to interfere with your data.
Encrypt your data
As mentioned in the Public key and Private key series, data encryption means transferring the information into numeric formats, which are unreadable by normal understanding, for data exchange. Such a procedure helps protect information from being read, stolen, and taken advantage of.
As said, we highly recommend you to use applications that encrypt customer data for better privacy and security.
Take Ready for example. We encrypt your data with advanced algorithm standards that ensure your messages will not be stolen or revealed during transmit.
Final thoughts
That is everything you need to learn about data security and privacy. In a nutshell, both are equally important. Hence, you must consider using data protection solutions, as we suggest above, to keep your privacy to the next level.
