One of the first steps of cybersecurity and keeping your data secure is finding out what threatens it.
As a business owner, cybersecurity and network security should be some of your top priorities. You’re responsible for making sure essential business data and client information stay safe and secure. To hackers, information is money so they will try to steal your data. One of the first steps to keeping your data secure is finding out what threatens it. Here are a couple of the more common threats to your business network!
Ignoring Software Updates
Whenever your business technology is involved, ignoring software updates is a bad idea. Software updates often contain valuable security updates as well. If software “patches” are missing, that creates a gateway straight into your network, leaving it vulnerable to all sorts of attacks.
Unsecure Passwords
Another all-too-common cybersecurity threat is when network users don’t create strong passwords. If a hacker acquires a basic knowledge of local sports teams and popular colleges in your area, chances are they will be able to figure out many employees’ passwords. It is important to develop a process for auditing passwords to ensure security. Even once passwords are created, they should be changed regularly just in case.
Phishing Scams
As long as phishing scams have been around, you’d think that we would have figured out how to stop them. Unfortunately, they’ve just kept getting better over the years. It’s to the point where hackers will create entire phony websites in order to gain users’ personal data. What’s more is that people are still falling for these schemes because they’re just so sophisticated. Technology has been advancing by leaps and bounds, which enables us to increase our cybersecurity. The unfortunate other side of that is that hackers and cybercriminals also have access to this tech and are figuring out new ways to bypass security measures. One of the easiest ways for a hacker to bypass security is by phishing personal data from people who are already inside of protected networks. They are essentially letting the users do the hacking for them.
Easy Cybersecurity Best Practices for Everyday Use
Password Protection
- Strong Passwords: Create strong passwords that include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information like your name or birthday.
- Unique Passwords: Use different passwords for each of your online accounts. This way, if one account is compromised, the others remain secure.
- Password Manager: Consider using a reputable password manager to securely store and generate complex passwords.
Software Updates
- Operating System: Keep your computer’s operating system (e.g., Windows, macOS) up to date with the latest security patches. Enable automatic updates if available.
- Applications: Regularly update all software applications, including web browsers, antivirus software, and productivity tools. These updates often contain critical security fixes.
Phishing Awareness
- Beware of Suspicious Emails: Be cautious of emails from unknown senders or those that contain unexpected attachments or links. Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking.
- Verify Website Authenticity: Before entering sensitive information on a website, check for the padlock icon in the address bar and ensure the URL begins with “https://” (the “s” indicates a secure connection).
- Be Wary of Unsolicited Offers: Don’t click on links in unsolicited messages promising deals that seem too good to be true. These often lead to phishing websites or malware downloads.
Secure Wi-Fi Usage
- Use Strong Encryption: When setting up a Wi-Fi network, choose WPA3 encryption for the highest level of security.
- Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Be cautious about using public Wi-Fi networks, as they may not be secure. If you must use public Wi-Fi, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your traffic.
Additional Tips
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, enable 2FA for your online accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone or another device in addition to your password.
- Back Up Your Data: Regularly back up your important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage. This can help you recover your data in case of a cyberattack or hardware failure.
- Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices. Many online resources and security blogs provide valuable information.
IT Solutions and Network Protection from Global Harvest Networks
Global Harvest Networks has been working for the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas since 2000 and we’re ready to lend our expertise to you! We offer a wide range of IT solutions that can tackle any and all of your network’s needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can help you! You can also give us a call at 443-270-0401. We’re ready to assess your system, diagnose the problem, and help you find a plan that will strengthen your network, all free of charge! For more information on the latest things you should protect your system from, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
