protecting your privacy and safety online.
Imagine for a moment that you're sitting in a coffee shop, enjoying a latte and browsing the internet on your phone. Suddenly, you receive an unexpected text message from your bank. "Dear valued customer, we regret to inform you that your account has been compromised. Please contact us immediately to resolve the issue." Your heart races as you realize that someone has stolen your identity and emptied your bank account.
This terrifying scenario is just one of the many ways in which a lack of data privacy can negatively impact your life. You see, when you use the internet, you leave behind a digital trail of personal information. This information can include everything from your browsing history to your credit card information. And if this information falls into the wrong hands, it can be used to steal your identity, scam you out of your hard-earned money, or even blackmail you.
Globally, cybercrime claimed 97 victims per hour in 2021.
For the majority of internet users, this is a very unsettling situation due to the severity of a cyber attack and the unpredictability of the personal risk that each of us faces. How can we defend ourselves if we have no idea how widely our information has been shared and how many websites and businesses, sometimes even thousands, have had access to it?
But it's not just about the criminal element. Companies and organizations also collect and use your personal information for their own purposes, such as targeted advertising. And without proper data privacy protections in place, they can do this without your knowledge or consent. It's like having a stranger rummage through your purse or wallet without your permission. It's a violation of your privacy and control.
Data privacy is also important for maintaining trust in the companies and organizations that handle your personal information. Imagine if you found out that your favorite online retailer was selling your browsing history to third parties. How would you feel about that retailer? Would you continue to shop there? Or would you take your business elsewhere?
And let's not forget about the legal aspect of data privacy. With data protection regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA in place, organizations that handle personal data are required to protect it from misuse and mishandling. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in hefty fines.
What do we do about data privacy and security?
Well, we practice what we preach. At Anatome Creative Studio we implement best practices when it comes to our own data, as well as that of our clients:
We use unique passwords, update them regularly, and use open source best-in-class password managers to keep our data safe.
We aggressively avoid public networks, and just to be safe we always have our VPNs up and running.
We never engage with unknown emails, and if we come across them they are flagged as spam, and deleted.
We always have the most up to date operating software running on our devices, and have our firewalls active at all times.
We don’t store external data for inordinate amounts of time, unnecessarily.
We keep abreast of reported data leaks to ensure that we are not affected by any of these without knowing about them. If these are identified, we can quickly react and protect ourselves and our clients from these exposures.
In short, data privacy is like a fortress that protects your personal information from theft, misuse and mishandling. It gives you control over your personal information, maintains trust in companies and organizations, and ensures compliance with legal regulations. It's not something to take lightly, because just like a fortress, if the walls come down, the consequences can be dire.
