For Data Privacy, Set Your Sights On Visual Hackers

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

For Data Privacy, Set Your Sights On Visual Hackers (NAPSA)—You've probably felt it when checking your e-mail or working in a public space:the leering eyes of strangers on yourdevice screen. ‘The glimpsesthat others get of your screens—whether on anairplane, in a coffee shop or on a train—maybefleeting and harmless.Afterall, humansare curiouscreatures. But these views may also be much morethan curiosity. Especially as cyber Youcan protect yourpersonal and defenses become ever stronger, device company data from prying eyes screens can be luring targets for hack- with a few simple precaution: ers seeking new waysto obtain valuable data from people andorganizations. Andit only takes one quick glance— ora stealthy snap of a smartphone camera—to capture your personal account details or sensitive company information, such as unreleasedfinancial numbers or confidential communications. This act is knownas visual hacking. It involves the viewing or capturing of private, sensitive or confidential information for unauthorized use. And the opportunity for it to occur is much greater than you may think. Nearly nine in 10 mobile workers recently surveyed by PonemonInstitute said they've caught someonelooking at their screen in public spaces. At the same time, more thanhalf of those surveyed also said they tooknostepsto protect in- workspacesthat provide the mostpri- vacyfrom pryingeyes. This can reduce opportunitiesfor a visualhackerto see andsteal valuable information from your device’s screen. + Using privacy filters on your de- vice screen to blacken out the angled view ofonlookers. Privacyscreens are available for all device types, including monitors, laptops, tablets and smartphones. For those whotravel or work on the go, these filters may be available from your workplace’s IT department andarealso available from popular online retailers. Adopting security best-practices from the workplace. Oneof the easi- est practices you can adoptis a clean- desk policy—only applied to mobile formation when working in public." devices. Thinkofit as a “clean screen” approach, with sensitive information DataPrivacy Day to make visualprivacy a priority in yourlife? Data Privacy Day whenit’s needed. For example, don't Given the lack of action to prevent visual hacking, what better time than is an international effort annually held onJan. 28 to create awareness aboutthe importance of privacy and protecting personalinformation. Whether you work on the go or are someone whoneedsto protect your personal information, there are a numberof simplesteps you can take to safeguard the beingdisplayed on yourscreen only leave confidential work data or pri- vate personalinformation up on your screen while youtake a phone call or talk to your seatmate. Visual hacking is already happening —andit mightbetargeting youif you use mobile devices or laptops in public spaces. ‘This Data Privacy Day, make a per- sonal commitmentto safeguarding your display ofinformation and help prevent vi- visual privacy and reducing opportu- Being mindful of your surroundings when workingin public spaces.If you're working in a coffee shop,hotel lobby orairport, for example, seek out Learn more at www.3mscreens.com. sual hacking. Someofthese steps include: nities for visual hackers. Taking small steps today can save you—oryour company—significant costs and headaches downthe road. *Poneman Institute, “Public Spaces Interview Study" 2017, sponsored by 3M. Study based on responsesfrom 46professional smebile workers

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