Trend of Cloud computing is very common now a days. It allows you
to synchronize your files from your computer and other connected devices and
not worry about losing your data. So you thought. Even your cloud date can be
prone to hacking.
This was the case of Mat
Honan, whose Amazon and Apple account was hacked. In the hopes of better
protecting their consumers, the two IT companies temporarily changed their
policies and cloud-related precautions. More than just setting your password to
beyond “12345,” here are some security measures that you can implement to
protect your cloud data:
Backup
everything
According to Robert Siciliano, an online security expert from
McAfee, said that we should make it a point to back up data not only on the
cloud but also on the hard drive. It is also best to back them up on several
locations.
Use
different passwords
Siciliano also recommends using different passwords for each
cloud-based account. There are password management services such as RoboForm or
LastPass that can help you generate passwords and will store them on your most
frequently used devices.
Do
not link your accounts to each other
Also called daisy-chaining, linking your accounts to each other
may do you in. Using your Facebook, Twitter, or Google accounts to log in to
your other social networks or websites may compromise all your accounts.
Matt Cutts describes two-factor authentication as “something you
know” and “something you have.” Two-factor authentication works this way:
Google will send a code via text or voice message upon signing in. You will
then need to enter the password and code to sign in to your account from an
unrecognized computer. You will then authorize Google to make the computer a
trusted computer for 30 days or longer.
Facebook uses a similar feature called: Login Approvals to sign
you in on an unrecognized computer. Both these features should be switched on.
Services like Amazon, Rackspace, and Wordpress utilizes two-factor
authentication.
Use
Anti-Spyware Software
Spyware is one of the most common threats to computer users
everywhere. However, with the dawn of anti-spyware software such as Ad-Aware,
the threat has been reduced throughout the years.
Take these tips into consideration and you can look forward to a
more secured cloud data.
Melvin
Magadia is a content writer for a cheap
promotional items company selling promotional
mouse pad. He is a gadgets freak and spends his spare time with his family
and in surfing the Internet and watching television.
