To quote one of our favourite customers, “I accepted that my banking, income, relationship and work information was compromised, but when MyFitness Pal revealed that the internet gremlins knew my weight, I decided that cybersecurity was serious!”
Last week, Under Armour announced that its app, MyFitness Pal had suffered a data breach, potentially affecting 150 million user accounts. From Saks Fifth Avenue to Forever 21, data breaches are on the rise and pose a real danger for brands and customers. Facebook now admits that as many as 87 million people may have had their data accessed as part of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. That’s plenty of people and copious amounts of data! Feeling under attack?
Apart from unplugging, always using cash or perhaps moving into a cave, there are a few steps you can take to stay anonymous and protect your online privacy:
Change your passwords – and use strong passwords! Your dog’s name is NOT a secure password
Closely monitor your bank accounts and credit card statements for unauthorized charges
Secure your mobile phone
Be careful when installing apps – think twice when a new app asks you for permission to use your contacts, photos, etc.
Think twice, click once before downloading
Avoid completing online forms that require your personal information
Keep your computer up to date with the latest security patches
Think about metadata – every text message leaves a trail
Only visit https websites when browsing
Clear your search history
Log out of search engines and sites when you are finished
Be mindful of Public WiFi networks
Use Two Tier Authentication as an added level of protection
Delete ancient accounts you no longer use
Of course, nothing beats good old-fashioned common sense. When MyFitnessPal asks for your weight – just say NO!