Security and privacy: difference and impact on reputation

In the digital realm, privacy and security are often used interchangeably. However, although both terms are related and equally important, each refers to a different aspect of protecting personal or sensitive information.

Privacy shields you from unwanted prying eyes, while security safeguards you against unauthorized access. Maintaining your personal information as both private and secure is key to protecting your online reputation.

Understanding the distinctions between privacy and security is essential to safeguarding your information, whether it's personal data or not, as well as your online reputation.

Privacy and Security: What They Are and How They Differ

What Is Privacy?

Privacy revolves around personal information control and management. It encompasses the right to decide what aspects of your life and identity are shared —what, how, and with whom— and what you choose to keep hidden from the public or specific individuals.

This control over your information includes keeping personal data, images, photographs, online activity, or messages and communications private to reduce the risks of exposure and its negative consequences. Privacy is pivotal to reputation management.

Key features of online privacy include:

• Data privacy: Protecting sensitive personal information, such as banking data, medical reports, or personal communications, from unauthorized or malicious access.
• Privacy protection: Employing measures to safeguard online navigation and activity, ensuring that the digital life you wish to keep private remains so.
• Privacy settings: Understanding privacy settings on social media profiles, email accounts, and other digital platforms limits the amount of personal information visible to the public, including friends and contacts.

What Is Security?

Security refers to the measures taken to protect information, digital assets, and systems or devices from potential threats. These threats include cyberattacks, malicious software, and data breaches.

It is a broader concept than privacy and includes proactive measures to protect data, both common and personal, and sensitive. Therefore, security is fundamental to protecting privacy —without privacy, there is no security— and both are necessary to safeguard one's reputation.

✅ Example: Unauthorized access to someone's mobile photos or messages, publicly disclosed with their date of birth serving as the PIN, can damage their reputation.

Some key components of security include:

• Implementing robust cybersecurity measures to defend against cyber threats.
• Ensuring safe internet usage through protocols and security tools.
• Protecting the network and data from unauthorized access and security breaches.
• Safeguarding data through encryption and secure storage.
• Staying informed about the latest threats and security measures.
• Applying effective security practices, including secure browsing and two-factor authentication (2FA), also on social media.

To protect privacy and security, consider these recommendations:

• Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) or tools like Google KeyPass.
• Understand the privacy settings of accounts on services and social networks and learn privacy configurations.
• Review and update app and website permissions.
• Exercise caution when sharing personal information.
• Learn about phishing and cyber scam risks.
• Regularly update software on your computer, mobile devices, and security tools like antivirus programs.
• Limit data sharing, even with acquaintances or trusted apps and websites.
• Use VPN and encrypted messaging apps.

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How to Protect and Manage Your Online Reputation

Online reputation is how others perceive you on the internet, and it largely defines your digital identity. Moreover, in today's world, it also has real-world implications, impacting how you are perceived personally, socially, or professionally.

✅ Examples: A company may consider social media content when making hiring decisions during a selection process.

A reputation crisis on the internet, caused by a social media post, can affect a company's financial activity and results.

Privacy and security are two fundamental concepts for safeguarding your data and online reputation.

Manage reputation encompasses monitoring opinions about products, services, or publications, as well as overseeing your presence and reputation on the internet and social media. It is an ongoing process that requires time and effort to control your digital footprint—the trail of activity and data left behind when using the internet.

Here are some tactics to protect your online reputation:

• Before posting anything online, including on social media, always consider how it might be perceived by others and how it will affect your reputation.
• Periodically search for yourself to stay informed about what is said about you online. In addition, monitor your profiles on social media to detect any inappropriate or negative content. If you find something inappropriate, take steps to remove it or request its removal from the respective platform.
• Be respectful of others, even when interacting with bots. When engaging online, whether through blog comments, forums, or social media, ensure your communication is respectful and constructive. Avoid personal attacks and heated arguments. Remember that everything said online can be tracked and affect your reputation.
• Further protect your personal information by avoiding sharing sensitive information such as your address, phone number, and the companies or banks you are a customer of.
• Use strong passwords and do not share them, even with acquaintances. Additionally, exercise caution with phishing or malware-laden emails that attempt to obtain personal information. Always verify the authenticity of websites and sources before providing confidential information.

Image: Freepik.

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