Stay safe online

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Islanders have been warned to keep their passwords safe, and to take online security seriously, when using increasingly popular "Cloud" storage services.

Data Protection Commissioner Emma Martins has given the advice to mark Data Protection Day. She says that there are four “top tips” for storing data safely online: know where your data is and who can access it; stay in control of your data; use a reputable company; and take security measures such as passwords and encryption seriously.

Mrs Martins said: “With mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets becoming more and more popular, it makes increasingly good sense to use online storage services that allow you to get access to your data on more than one device and offer a secure backup. If you are storing personal information, it is very important to ensure that it is being held securely.

“Simple things like changing log-ins and passwords that you use from one site to another can help – if hackers manage to get your information from one site, you don’t want them to be able to access every online service and website that you use with the same details.

“Our digital footprints are expanding all of the time, but adopting common sense rules  will help keep your data secure and make you less of an easy target for identity thieves, some of whom  now operate in a highly organised and sophisticated way.”