Data Privacy Week — Jan. 23-30 — is an opportunity to spread awareness about online privacy and the ways you can keep your information safe.  

Did you know that your data is being collected every day? It happens through your phone, tablet, and even your car. Anything that can connect to the internet has potential to obtain and store data. Every time you visit a website, a small piece of your information can be collected, which means people may have access to your behaviors, interests and purchases.  

Here are some ways you can protect yourself:  

• Create unique passwords that are 12 characters long and use a password manager to keep up with the different accounts. At UAB, you can use Keeper. 

• Turn on multifactor authorization for all of your accounts. 
• Keep your devices and software up to date, see if you can turn in auto updates. 
• Know what phish is, and forward them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you think you received one in your UAB email account. 
• Limit web site or app access to your data. You can tinker with your browser's privacy settings, or clear it out after every use. With apps you can turn off tracking. You can also delete apps that you have not used in several months.