UScellular shares tips to ensure the safety of your data privacy

Jan. 28 is Data Privacy Day, which is a good time for individuals to review how their data is being protected. With almost 5.3 billion internet users worldwide and mobile devices contributing to nearly 60 percent of online traffic, scammers and phishing can exploit our reliance on increased connectivity and data protection.

According to the latest Pew Research study on data privacy, more than half of Americans, 56 percent, admit to agreeing to privacy policies without reading them .

“In this digital age, data privacy is the most important tool we have for protecting our information,” says Brandi McCune, director of sales and operations for UScellular in New England. “Ensuring that our data and information is shared only with those that we trust and protecting it from those we don’t is important, and everyone should take time to evaluate how they can increase data protection.”

UScellular offers five tips to help protect your privacy and data.

• Create a strong password: With a strong password, it makes it significantly harder for hackers to gain access to personal accounts. It’s a necessary layer of defense to keep financial details, personal information, and sensitive data safe.

• Review privacy policies: Understanding these policies can help make decisions on which services get access to personal information. According to Pew Research, nearly 6 in 10 Americans skip reading privacy policies. Awareness of these policies can contribute to a more secure online experience.

• Keep software up to date: Updated software is like a shield that guards against hackers to keep information safe. Regular updates improve bugs, enhance performance, and reduce the risk of compromised data.

• Stay cautious of phishing scams: Stay cautious of phishing emails or messages that may prompt you to share passwords or personal information.

• Protect data privacy: Consumers can use Android and iOS apps such as DuckDuckGo, ExpressVPN, LastPass, ProtonMail, and Signal to keep personal information safe while in public places.

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has pledged to provide hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet. Additionally, UScellular has price protected all of its plans, promising not to increase prices through at least the end of 2024. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or http://www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.