8 Ways to Make Sure Your Data Is Protected

When collecting employee and client data on your Cognito Forms, data is always encrypted at rest, and users access the site using HTTPS 100% of the time. However, there are things you can do on your end to further protect your data.

Here is a list of some ways you can take to protect your data privacy:

Use two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to provide your password and a code sent to your phone or generated by an app. This process makes it much more difficult for someone to access your accounts if they obtain your password. All Cognito Forms users can (and should) enable two-factor authentication in their account settings. This simple step helps prevent fraudulent use – protecting your organization, your data, and your peace of mind.

Use a secure browser

Some browsers are specifically designed to protect your privacy. They route your internet traffic through multiple layers of encryption, making it more difficult for anyone to track your online activities, ensuring you can browse the internet safely. If the website you’re on uses https it’s secure, if it is http, it’s not secure. Example: https://www.cognitoforms.com/forms/

Use a password manager

A password manager stores your login information in encrypted form and can automatically generate strong, unique passwords. This can help protect your accounts from hacking and allows you to use a different, complex password for each account.

Be careful with public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks, like at a coffee shop or restaurant, are often not secure and can be easily compromised by hackers. To protect sensitive information, avoid using public Wi-Fi and use your phone’s hotspot instead. The best option for Wi-Fi security is private Wi-Fi that you control, such as a company or home Wi-Fi, as they are more secure, and all transmissions are encrypted.

Use a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts all the data you send and receive over the internet, making it much harder for anyone to intercept or steal your information. Look for a trustworthy VPN service that does not keep logs of your online activities.

Use a firewall

A firewall is a network security system that watches and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. You can use a firewall to protect your entire network or device.

Use an encrypted messaging app

Certain messaging apps use end-to-end encryption to keep your messages private. This means that the messages can only be read by the sender and the intended recipient, and not anyone in between, including the messaging service itself.

Encrypted backups

To ensure the protection of your data when you are away from your device, use encryption when backing up to a cloud service and keep your devices up to date with the latest software releases, as many security patches are included in these updates. Additionally, only download reputable applications to prevent someone from stealing all your data within the terms of service.

These are just a few examples of ways to protect your data privacy, but it is important to note that no method is foolproof. Using multiple methods to create a strong defense is a good idea and protects you from new security threats – so make sure to always stay up to date with new data privacy practices.