Right from our online profiles to the devices we use every day, we’ve scattered a surprising amount of personal information across the internet. And if a hacker is quietly tracking you, waiting for the perfect moment to misuse that data, the consequences can be serious—socially or financially. Even with tools like end-to-end encryption, you never truly know who might be watching.
Data is no less valuable than any other thing, and in current times, with growing technology, I feel that data also needs protection, probably more than ever! Let’s explore this extremely important topic here and learn how to secure our data from all ends.
Key Takeaways
- Data is vulnerable to hackers; safeguarding it is crucial in today’s tech-driven world.
- End-to-end encryption improves security but doesn’t encrypt metadata, which hackers can exploit.
- Utilize multi-factor authentication, a VPN, and avoid malicious links to enhance data protection.
- Limit sign-ins to trusted websites and use multiple devices for sensitive activities to minimize risks.
- Take advantage of your device’s built-in security features and keep your device updated for maximum protection.
Table of contents
Is End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) Totally Safe?
End-to-end encryption has made data exchange a lot secure and safe by encrypting it, and users often use this feature while chatting on social media accounts or use this feature in transactional activities.
A secured device with a proper end-to-end encryption feature keeps data safe to a great extent, but it doesn’t encrypt metadata. Those who don’t know about metadata, it is a bit of information that contains data like who you have texted or who has sent you a message.
Metadata also contains the user device’s location, activities, etc. Though end-to-end encryption conceals your chat, hackers can still get access to your metadata. So, end-to-end encryption cannot protect your data alone, but you can use a few more hacks to save your digital life.
More Ways to Protect Data Without Relying on Apps
When it comes to complete data security, I don’t rely on following only one hack. Instead, I do multiple things to keep my private chats and sensitive information encrypted as much as possible. As I have already mentioned earlier, with more technological advances, we need tighter and effective data security hacks along with end-to-end encryption. You can do the same as mentioned below-
1. Use The Multi-Factor Authentication Feature
I feel that the multi-factor authentication feature is quite an underrated security feature that people don’t follow much, but in my experience, it has helped me a lot. I feel freer and secure because no one can access my accounts or data, even if someone knows my password.
Whenever I have to log in to my 2MFA-protected accounts, I first have to authenticate them to access. By doing so, I have complete authority in my hands and a sense of security against account hacking.
2. Use A VPN
Due to growing cybercrime attacks, I have shifted to using a VPN, sometimes back in several things apart from streaming shows and movies. The primary task of a VPN is to hide the IP address and the device’s location while accessing.
So, it adds more security to encrypted data that even hackers can’t steal easily. If you have not used it yet, I would suggest to download a VPN from reliable sources only. Otherwise, it won’t work effectively.
3. Avoid Clicking on Malicious Links
You might have received emails or messages claiming too-good-to-be-true deals or tempting links to download movies in high quality. Actually, they are nothing but to fool you into clicking them, and then hackers can easily access your devices.
Such links seem authentic initially, but it is always better to verify first. The best thing to do is to never click them to open. I never do that, and I will suggest to my readers the same.
4. Limit Yourself from Signing in to Random Websites
You open a website or a blog and it asks you to sign it for further accessing its content or service. Here is the catch- not all links or websites are safe to submit your account credentials or any other important information, even with end-to-end encryption.
You never know whether you are being watched or a hacker is also tracking you at the very moment. So, it is better to minimize your digital footprints as much as possible or skip such sites if possible.
5. Use Multiple Devices for Different Purposes
Yeah, this seems expensive, but it’s a great hack to minimize the risk of data theft. If you are using your smartphone for all purposes like net surfing, transactions, official work, and personal apps, there are more data leaks in case of any cyberattack.
However, if you use more than one device, specifically for financial reasons or sensitive information, you can reduce the data loss to a great extent. In case one device is compromised, the other will keep your remaining data safe.
6. Take Help of Your Device’s In-Built Security Features
Our devices also have so many security features that can be used smartly to save not just from device hacking but also from data leakage. If we secure our devices first, then only we can save our data from external threats. In this case, you can use firewalls, install antivirus software, etc., to prevent malware attacks and possible hijacking of your device.
Also, many people don’t update their devices regularly out of laziness. Please don’t do that because your inaction is preventing your device from upgrading itself. You can use your system’s security features to save yourself from malicious cyber exposure.
Final Words
Though with the help of the end-to-end encryption feature, we now have a safer online interaction, there are still chances of data leakage or hacking of private information. I am not saying end-to-end encryption is of no value; it has, but with growing technological innovation, end-to-end encryption needs more features to provide complete security in today’s digital threat landscape.
