We’ll explore challenges in data encryption along with best practices. Whether you’re new to encryption or looking to improve your defenses, this guide can help.
Determine What Information Needs the Most Protection
Encryption takes some skill, and it comes with a few risks that we’ll discuss later. With that in mind, it’s important for individuals to choose what data to encrypt carefully. You could encrypt your entire disk, but that may be more than you need. One of the best practices in data encryption for private computers is to limit the data you encrypt. Look for information that could compromise your identity, safety, and work.
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If you store any credit card information on your computer, you should encrypt it. The same goes for other obvious data, such as copies of your driver’s license, social security card, and passport. Make sure data about your home is protected, too. This includes lease information or mortgage paperwork. If you work from home, it’s a good idea to protect yourself and your employer by keeping all work-related data in an encrypted file. Many people use digital calendars to keep track of appointments, to-do lists, and daily schedules. Secure that data. This may be the most important tip in our data encryption guide. You must remember that not all cyber criminals are looking to steal credit card information. Some want data they can use to scam you. Others may be looking to see when you will be out of the house in order to rob your physical home. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, make sure prying eyes don’t have easy access to such sensitive information.
Consider Potential Risks
Encryption is a powerful tool, but this data encryption guide wouldn’t do users justice if it didn’t include the risks. We mentioned these earlier, and they will impact your decision about what data you are and are not willing to risk. The biggest problem with encrypted data is that it’s fairly easy to corrupt. If your computer comes under attack from ransomware, encrypted data has a very high risk of corruption. The encryption may still keep criminals out, but you won’t be able to access it again, either. This is why we don’t suggest the average user jump to encrypt their entire hard drive. We also don’t suggest encrypting irreplaceable, personal files such as family photos.
Choose a Strong Cipher
The market is full of ciphers, but some are stronger than others. Look into your options carefully, and make sure any software you choose has the cipher you prefer. If you are serious about protecting a particular piece of data, you may even employ multiple ciphers. One cipher could protect a document. Another could protect the file holding the document.
Data encryption is one of the most powerful cyber security tools available, and a few guiding principles can help anyone take advantage of it. Remember, not everything needs encryption. The process comes with risks. The best encryption protects important, but replaceable data with at least one good cipher.
