Data Protection Day is a Holiday for Everybody

We cannot imagine our life without computers nowadays. Everyday activity demands using the Internet – sending mails, ordering food and clothes, paying bills, and many other things. And not many people really know how their personal information is collected, shared, and used (or misused) on the internet? While there’s a growing awareness that we need to keep our data private still some people underestimate how valuable their personal data is.

January 28th is Data Protection Day in Europe, aka Data Privacy Day in the USA. This international event commemorates the same date in 1981, when the Council of Europe’s data protection convention, known as ‘Convention 108’, was signed. This year, 28 January is a very special day for the entire global Data Protection community as it is the 40th Anniversary of the Convention. For 40 years, Convention 108 has influenced and shaped the protection of privacy and of data protection in Europe and beyond.

South Ural State University has a long history of preparing specialists who are able to prevent cyber threats, eliminate their consequences, and protect personal information and data related to the operation of entire enterprises. The School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science has many majors in which an applicant will get necessary knowledge and skills to compete in the labor market. Great theoretical basis and laboratory infrastructure of the school attract many young people to get the education every year.

Data protection issues, including their cross-border dimension, are highly present in all of our daily lives – at work, in their relations with public authorities, in the health field, when they buy goods or services, when they travel or surf the internet.

Personal data can provide businesses with insight into their customer buying habits, it also gives cybercriminals the tools needed to commit identity theft, fraud, and other crimes. Data privacy is also critical to organizations looking to protect their proprietary research and business-critical data.

Usual people feel a lack of control over their personal data. But there some steps they can take to learn about different types of data we all are generating online, how it’s collected, shared and used. We should follow these basic privacy tips to manage our personal information and make informed decisions about who receives the data.

1. Personal info is like money: Value it. Protect it. Personal information, such as your purchase history, IP address, or location, has tremendous value to businesses – just like money. Make informed decisions about whether or not to share your data with certain businesses by considering the amount of personal information they are asking for, and weighing it against the benefits you may receive in return.

2. Keep tabs on your apps. Many apps ask for access to personal information, such as your geographic location, contacts list and photo album, before you can use their services. Be thoughtful about who gets that information, and wary of apps that require access to information that is not required or relevant for the services they are offering. Delete unused apps on your internet-connect devices and keep others secure by performing updates.

3. Manage your privacy settings. Check the privacy and security settings on web services and apps and set them to your comfort level for information sharing. Each device, application or browser you use will have different features to limit how and with whom you share information.

4. On any new device, set your privacy settings immediately. This includes new applications, social media, and programs.

5. Never use unsecured WiFi – especially for banking or shopping.

6. Check your bank and credit card statements regularly. When you spot anything questionable, contact the organization to stop payment on the purchase and cancel your card. In the same vein, check your credit report at least annually.

7. Keep your software up to date. Out of date software is vulnerable to hackers.

8. Never give personal information over the phone, email, or text.

9. Stop taking online quizzes that ask random questions about your childhood, children, tattoos, marriages, pets, and favorite foods. Each time you take one of these, people trying to access your data gather a little bit more information about you that allows them to steal your data or identity.

10. Use strong password phrases. The longer the password, the harder it is to break.

11. Use virus protection and a firewall.

Take the steps to secure your digital devices. If you do, you and your family will be more secure. The protection of your data be of concern every single day.

 

Let us remind that foreign citizens who have some questions connected to visa procedures can learn all the details regarding the documents by calling 8 (351) 267 93 30 or asking a question on Facebook.

If you want to get a prestigious degree at SUSU in English, you may read about English-taught programs by clicking the link.

In the official group of South Ural State University on Facebook you may read the last news of the university or ask your questions.

Or just contact us:

International Student Support at the SUSU International Office

Email: applicant[at]susu[dot]ru

Tel.: 8 (351) 272 30 86

 

Valentina Metelyova, photos from freepik.com
Contact person: 
International Student Support at the SUSU International Office Email: applicant@susu.ru Tel.: 8 (351) 272 30 86
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