It is not uncommon to hear of large-scale cyber attacks these days. It is very important to never assume you won't be a target. Smaller companies often think that their data is not important enough to hack. In fact, smaller to medium businesses are more attractive to hackers, as they normally don't have the same level of defence as the larger companies. It is very easy for hackers to invade your personal space and misuse your data. Always assume you are a target, and that the internet trolls are out to get you. So how do you keep hackers away? Here are five great tips.
Privacy settings
The first thing you need to do is to check your privacy settings and make sure that they are on to keep you safe. The privacy settings determine how much people can see about you. All social media apps have a list of privacy settings that are easy to adjust yourself. Watch what you’re sharing on social networks. Criminals can befriend you and easily gain access to your personal information, which can help them get to more valuable data.
Passwords
Passwords are also very important in cybersecurity. Most people still use simple passwords which are easy to guess. Use a strong mix of characters, and don’t use the same password for multiple sites. Don’t share your password with others, don’t write it down, and definitely don’t write it on a post-it note attached to your monitor. It is important to change passwords especially when some form of security threat has been determined. Studies show that up to 86% of people use unsafe passwords. There are password managers and password generators that lock your passwords and personal information in a secure vault, such as LatePass. This is an extra way to secure your passwords.
Safe Internet browsing
Always remember to be careful what you click. Harmful links may appear via email, as pop-ups, or as unexpected attachments (basically never click the link!), Double check the website URL the link takes you to: scammers will often take advantage of spelling mistakes to direct you to a harmful domain, also ensure your employees practice safe browsing. Before entering private information such as credit card details or passwords on a website, look in the browser window frame, there should be a padlock that appears when you attempt to log in or register. Make sure the padlock is not on the page itself, this will probably indicate a fraudulent site.
Antivirus Programs
Prevention is the best way to stop cyber attacks from happening altogether. Doing this can save your company a lot of time and money! Most antivirus programs receive constant updates that are for not just detecting issues but also fixing them. An antivirus is an all-inclusive solution that keeps you safe online and offline. Be conscientious of what you are plugging into your computer. Malware can spread through several devices, such as flash drives, external hard drive and even smartphones. A plan should also be in place so that the attack can be isolated. If one computer gets infected the malware is blocked from spreading. It is also very important to train your employees on defending against malware.
Back it up
Back up all your networks and systems regularly, whether it’s to a cloud-based server or a physical one. This can help you to recover any information you lose if you experience a cyber attack. Your backup data should always be stored separate from the main server, it is also a good idea to use multiple back-up methods to help ensure the safety of your information and files. Make sure you do regular tests and check that you can restore your data from your back-up.
There is nothing that is more important than keeping your data safe when searching through the internet. By following these practices, you can better safeguard your digital systems, data and information from cyber threats. Be sure to apply them into your daily internet use to stay away from fraud and data theft.
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