protected data in abstract class

Question

My question involves specifically Java, abstract classes, and the use of protected data. I am being told that all the data should be private, and protected getters/setters

Answer 1

If the field is private and access is through getters and setters, you will be able to reimplement getters and setters (for instance, dropping the field and updating/reading the value from an external source), and thus change how the "field" works without touching any child classes.

Whether this is worth it, that's up to you.