As time progresses, threats of data security breaches increase. The reason for this is that every day we find ourselves using the World Wide Web more and more for even the most basic tasks of living life. This looks like dollars signs in the eyes of many criminals. Every day, cyber criminals are finding ways to get their hands onto information that's classified as sensitive and quite valuable when they obtain it.
However, the sad part of this scenario is that many consumers and businesses alike blow it off because they don't think it could happen to them. This is especially true in the health and fitness industry. But as it has been proven through many cyber-criminal sting operations (composed of experts on a hacker hunting mission) and infiltrations by the Secret Service, nobody is immune. So, when you ask yourself whether or not data protection is needed, don't think twice, it is something that should be seen as mandatory regardless of whether its for commercial or personal use.
How Do These "Ethical Hackers" Pursue Their Craft?
It used to be in the earlier days of hacking (aka hacker hunting), those catching criminal cases would be put to work for the federal government as a way to get off their charges. Now that ethical hacking has become more popular, they tend to unveil ethical hacking tricks online as well as pursue a degree in computer security just for the trill of it. It is a life like no other.
These geeks as we call them today are able to help prevent data breaches, track down criminals, and much more. Ethical hackers have helped develop a more sophisticated and secure world online. If this was a game, it would be checkmate.
Here's how you can implement secure data protection for fitness software or mobile apps. While there are plenty of lengthy guides out there with so much information that it becomes confusing, a few simple steps could help you more than you think. Here they are ways to secure client data and PII.
1. Don't Just Hand Over Your Identity So Easily
Anything as far as conducting business online and sharing personal information needs to be done only with a trusted party on a secure website or via secure email (using SSL). By keeping this in mind you're protecting your identity from becoming the next example of identity theft.
2. If The Link Looks Just A Little Spammy, Don't Click It Instantly!
We find them on websites and within our inboxes. More so than we have ever seen, because SPAM works, and it has for years. If the link appears to be spammy, approach with caution as it could be how a door to a virus is opened. Then you become the next victim of cyber crime.
3. Know Who It Is That You Are In Communication With
Always do your homework when adding someone to your network that you will be communicating with. A new contact could just as easily be someone set out to do nothing but bad things for you. And having a lock on your network is one of the best protective measures of all.
4. Software Could Be Your New Best Friend And Bodyguard
It can help identify potential intruders, viruses, and even harmful links on websites. The power that software has today is one that can't come with a price tag. Just like the old ad campaign that ran for 17 years promoting MasterCard, it is priceless.
5. Update, And Update Again. As Much As Necessary
Updates come out almost daily, and you want to check for updates on a daily basis anyways for your fitness business. It will help uncover new security flaws in fit technology as well as strengthen your cyber-security measures as you progress and as computer experts progress the world of tech.
Client Data Protection Conclusion
When it comes to fiscal fitness apps and financial software, there is always a risk for losing your data. Make sure to protect your client data and practice proper cybersecurity, it could be the difference between your business succeeding or failing.