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What is data privacy?

Data privacy refers to the protection of an individual's personal information or data, ensuring that it is collected, used, and stored in a manner that respects their rights and preserves their confidentiality. It involves controlling how personal data is collected, accessed, shared, and used by organizations or individuals. It is important because it protects individual rights, ensures data security, and promoting responsible data practices.

Companies manage data privacy through various technologies like data loss prevention, storage with built-in data protection, firewalls, and encryption which is highly utilized. Additionally, there is an act called The Privacy Act of 1974 that regulates how agencies can collect and use data about individuals in its system. The European Union, United States, and Canada are some of the few that enforce data privacy.

Small-business entrepreneurs and startup owners often mistakenly believe their size will protect against a data breach. In reality, the “small” in small businesses is what makes them an appealing target for hackers. 

1. Update your software and apps regularly.

2. Start using multifactor authentication.

3. Limit network and data access.

Data privacy structures and rules are designed to safeguard the privacy and integrity of data, ensuring that personal or sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access, misuse, or alteration.

A downloadable program like Norton refers to antivirus software that is designed to detect, remove, and protect against various types of malicious software, such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. On the other hand, a firewall is a network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and an external network, such as the Internet. Firewalls can be either hardware-based or software-based, and their primary purpose is to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network while allowing legitimate communication.

Writing secure code is essential for software safety. Developers should follow best practices to avoid hacking and vulnerability of websites and information. Regularly updating softwares and promptly applying security measures is necessary to address weaknesses. When using third-partysitess, it's essential to choose trusted sources and keep them updated to avoid information being leaked.