In today's digital era, the internet has become a primary necessity in daily life. Indeed, the internet has provided convenience in many aspects and is accessible to everyone from various backgrounds.
However, there are dangers lurking in the virtual world (the internet), and one of them is the ease of data theft, especially your personal data.
So, how can you protect your personal data on the internet?
1. What Is Personal Data?
1.1 Definition of Personal Data
Data is unorganized facts that can be processed into meaningful information. Data can be in the form of text, numbers, symbols, images, or other possible formats. Personal data, on the other hand, is any data about an individual that is identified and/or can be identified either independently or in combination with other information, directly or indirectly through electronic and/or non-electronic systems. Examples of personal data include names, addresses, dates of birth, and so forth.
According to the Draft Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Information Technology Regarding the Protection of Personal Data in Electronic Systems (RPM PDPSE), personal data refers to specific individual data that is stored, maintained, and kept accurate and confidential.
1.2 Examples of Personal Data
According to Law No. 23 of 2006 concerning Population Administration, examples of personal data include:
- Kartu Keluarga (KK)
- Nomor Induk Kependudukan (NIK)
- Date/Month/Year of Birth
- Information about physical and/or mental disabilities
- Mother's Identification Number (NIK)
- Father's Identification Number (NIK)
- Some important event records
2. 8 Effective Ways to Protect Personal Data
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After understanding the definition and examples of personal data, it's important to know how to protect your personal data to avoid cybercrime. Here are 8 ways to protect your personal data that you can start implementing now:
2.1 Encrypt Data
The first way to protect personal data is to ensure that your personal data is stored in encrypted format. Encryption is the process of converting information into a code that can only be opened or accessed by parties with the correct encryption key. By applying encryption to your personal data, you can enhance security levels and protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
2.2 Beware of Suspicious Links
One common technique used by cybercriminals to steal personal data is phishing, where they send links that appear legitimate but actually lead to fake websites designed to steal your information. Therefore, always be vigilant against suspicious links, especially if they come from unknown or untrusted sources. Verify the authenticity of links before clicking them and avoid providing sensitive information through suspicious links.
Phishing practices usually involve sending suspicious links via WhatsApp, text messages, email, and phone calls.
2.3 Avoid Providing Personal Data on Social Media
Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are places where we often share various information about ourselves, but it's important to remember that not all information should be disclosed publicly. Avoid posting or providing personal information such as ID numbers, driver's license numbers, credit card information, or other information that can be misused by irresponsible parties. Always consider privacy risks before sharing any information on social media platforms.
2.4 Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi
Another way to protect personal data from leaking is to be cautious with the use of public Wi-Fi. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it's important to exercise caution because these networks are vulnerable to attacks that can result in personal data theft. Avoid accessing or transmitting sensitive information while connected to public Wi-Fi unless you are using a secure connection like a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Always ensure to verify network security before accessing important information.
2.5 Create Strong Passwords
Passwords are an essential defense layer in protecting your personal data. Make sure to create passwords that are difficult to guess by combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. This is another way to protect personal data to prevent hackers from easily guessing your password. Avoid using easily guessable passwords or personal information such as names or birthdates. Always update passwords regularly and do not use the same password for multiple accounts.
2.6 Use Incognito Mode
Another way to protect personal data is to use incognito mode when browsing the internet. Incognito mode or private browsing mode on web browsers can help protect your privacy by preventing the browser from storing browsing history, cookies, or other website data. While it doesn't guarantee complete privacy, using incognito mode can help reduce your online digital footprint, especially when using a computer or shared device.
2.7 Be Cautious in Choosing Apps on Your Mobile Device
Another way to protect personal data is to be cautious in choosing apps to download on your mobile device. When downloading apps on your mobile device, make sure to only install apps from trusted sources, such as the official Google Play Store or App Store. Avoid downloading apps from unknown or suspicious sources, as such apps may contain malware or other harmful software that can jeopardize the security of your personal data.
2.8 Regularly Update Software
Outdated software is vulnerable to security attacks that can compromise the security of your personal data. Therefore, it's important to regularly check and install software updates, including operating systems, antivirus programs, and other applications. Software updates often contain security fixes to protect your device from new vulnerabilities discovered by software developers or security researchers. By keeping your software up to date, you can enhance the overall security of your personal data.
These are ways to protect personal data that you can start implementing now. By protecting your personal data, you can avoid the rampant digital crimes, especially personal data theft that can harm you.
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