Marketing online is rewarding and much lower cost than traditional commercials and billboards. As someone representing a product or service, your job is to get the product out there and really drum up interest. But sometimes there are unforeseen bumps in the road.
If you want to steer clear of the unforeseen and run a successful campaign, security is an absolute must. Check out some of these tips to put your mind at ease and let you focus on the job.
1. Avoid Sharing Personal and Privileged Client Information
In the moment, marketing can be exciting. You really want to make a splash! But be careful what your campaign is sharing with the world. Putting out personal emails or contact information can jeopardize the privacy of both you and your clients.
2.Use Security Software
It doesn’t matter if you’re a private user or working commercial, if you don’t protect your devices you can lose everything, including that aforementioned client data. Install proper protection in the form of anti-virus software and secure your connection using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to keep your actions encrypted and anonymous.
3. Keep Your Accounts Private
Never share accounts with anyone you aren’t directly working with and keep your login information to yourself. Avoid using obvious passwords and ensure they are both unique and difficult to guess (keep them over eight characters, with numbers, symbols and a mixture of upper and lowercase letters).
Keep your business email separate from your personal one, or create a new account for specific jobs to maintain a proper division of interests.
4. Use Up to Date Software
One of the easiest ways to fall victim to hacks and exploits is to run out-of-date software. In most cases, updates to your operating system and other critical programs fix newly discovered security vulnerabilities. Not updating Java, for instance, can land you on fake websites, lead to malware and end with critical data stolen or exploited (perhaps even by competitors).
5. Beware of Scams
The worst way to lose crucial information is to willingly give it away. Plenty of seemingly legitimate websites offer “chances to win” in various different sweepstakes, as long as you provide them with some of your private information (such as an email address, phone number or even your home address). Don’t be fooled into handing away something that might land you in trouble.
Be doubly aware of phishing scams, which will pose as websites you know and trust, but are actually fakes looking to steal your login or private information. Always check the web address if you’re suspicious, and navigate directly to sites when in doubt by typing in the address.
Someone Wants to Profit From You
In the same way you’re hoping to get paid for the success of someone else’s business, someone else is probably looking to profit from your hard work. Just make sure that person is a client. Stay safe.