How to Stop Data Brokers from Raiding Your Business

Image via Schnell

If you think about it, data brokers are the nosy neighbors of the digital world (and they’re just so nosy with everyone). They don’t knock on your door to ask permission. Instead, they peek through the blinds and grab anything they can get their hands on. Data brokers are the least picky out there, too; from customer emails to browsing histories, they’ll scoop up whatever crumbs your business leaves behind. 

Now, it can be pretty tough to stay safe online when it seems like everyone wants to sell your data, including the data of your staff and customers, right? All of this can be super frustrating, right? Well, you work hard to build trust with your customers, and these brokers are out here treating your data like their piggy bank. So, how can small businesses even avoid being a target?

Data Brokers Love an Easy Target

Believe it or not, data brokers aren’t hackers; they don’t need to be. In fact, most of the time, businesses hand them what they’re looking for without even realizing it. Those simple things like customer email lists, shopping behaviors, or even the tools you use on your website can create a goldmine for these digital scavengers.

So, think about how much information your business collects daily. Every email sign-up, transaction, and website visit—well, it’s all sitting there. If you’re not careful, it’s like leaving a plate of cookies out for them with a big sign saying, “Take what you want.”

Lock It Down Like Fort Knox

Okay, now here’s the truth: data brokers aren’t going to waste their time trying to break into a well-protected business. Sure, a hacker may try, but a data broker isn’t even going to bother. In a way, they’re like burglars; they’ll take the easy win every time. If your systems are secure, they’ll move on to someone who isn’t.

So, what can you do? The first step is to ensure your data is stored securely. Ideally, using something like a YANSEN industrial SSD helps with reliability and secure storage, keeping your information safe and sound. So yeah, a good SSD helps, but you can also pair that with encryption and strong passwords, and no, data brokers won’t even bother!

Stop Oversharing

Sometimes, businesses accidentally do data brokers’ jobs for them. No, it’s true! So, the tools you use, the apps you install, and even the plugins on your website all have the potential to leak more information than you’d think. And once it’s out there, it’s hard to take back.

So, you need to be picky about what you share. Dig into their privacy policies if you’re working with a third-party service. Are they vague? Do they sound like they were written by someone who barely cares? If so, it’s time to find another option. Only share the essentials; don’t assume your data is safe just because someone else is handling it.

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