When your data is leaked by a very large, faceless organization, it seems like there’s nothing you can do. But when you’re protecting your privacy and data from the public, you have more options available to you.
Never Leave Passwords Out in the Open
What annoys me the most is when I see passwords anywhere near someone’s computer—yes, that includes the password under your keyboard. This is a very bad habit that people have, even people in professional jobs. If someone wants to access your system, the first place they’ll look is under your keyboard. The second place would be the nearest desk drawer.
I never keep passwords near my devices. The safest way to save passwords is with a password manager. Of course, the best way is to memorize them, but who has the mental energy for that?
Never leave your laptop unattended
Another thing that really annoys me is when coworkers decide to take their lunch break or go to the bathroom without locking their computer (especially when they have administrative privileges over the entire network!). This can have disastrous consequences (fortunately, the company I work for doesn\’t have any criminals, but you can never be too cautious).
This applies to you too. If you\’re in a public place and need to use the bathroom, be sure to lock your laptop (although you should bring it with you). Likewise, if you\’re at work, lock your computer. Never leave your device unattended.
Keep your PIN safe
The PIN on your debit card is important for security. If someone finds your wallet and has your debit card in it, they can\’t make a purchase without your PIN (although contactless cards are changing this).
First of all, it is not a good idea to leave a note saying “PIN for debit card” in your wallet. You should also be careful about how you enter your PIN in public. You never know if someone is peeking over your shoulder. When entering your PIN, cover the PIN pad with your opposite hand.
There may also be cameras watching the PIN you enter and waiting to capture it, which leads us to the next topic.
Always check for skimmers
Card skimmers cover the point-of-sale (POS) or ATM and are designed to steal your card information. Some of them are incredibly crafted, and you will never know if there is a hidden cover on the PIN pad. Now, there is no guaranteed way to know if there is a skimmer on it or not, but before you insert your card into the PIN pad, give it a look and feel around the edges. If it shakes, or the buttons seem harder to press than usual, there may be a skimmer.
With ATMs, you can shake the card insertion slot to see if anything feels loose or isn\’t there when it should be. If something feels off, don\’t use it.
The criminals who set these up also install hidden cameras to capture the PIN you enter (what\’s the point of card information without the PIN?), which brings us back to the previous section about protecting your PIN (even if you think no one is watching)!
Be careful when entering passwords in public
Just like entering your PIN, consider your surroundings before logging into an account. If you\’re in the checkout line at a convenience store and there are people behind you, it\’s probably not the best idea to open your banking application and start typing. People might not remember your login credentials (but who\’s to say?), but cameras are forever.