Cybersecurity advice and best practice for your business from the Digital Security Authority
Cybercrime is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing crimes in the world and continues to affect businesses across all industries. If you don't want your company or company's name to end up in the headlines as a result of a security breach, you need to know the most up-to-date cybersecurity tips and best practices.
However, protecting against cyber attacks is challenging. It's hard to keep up when cybercriminals are constantly looking for new ways to expose us to security risks.
However, there are some cyber security tips that will help you prevent cyber attacks.
Top Cyber Security Tips in 2023:
1. Keep your software up to date
Software companies typically provide software updates for 3 reasons: to add new features, fix known bugs, and upgrade security.
Always update to the latest version of your software to protect yourself from new or existing security vulnerabilities.
2. Avoid opening suspicious emails
If an email looks suspicious, do not open it as it may be a phishing scam.
Someone can impersonate another person or company to gain access to your personal information. Sometimes emails may also include attachments or links that may infect your devices.
3. Keep the material up to date
Older computer hardware may not support the latest software security updates. In addition, old hardware makes it slower to respond to cyberattacks if they do occur. Make sure you are using computer hardware that is more up-to-date.
4. Use a secure file sharing solution to encrypt data
If you regularly share confidential information, you should definitely start using a secure file sharing solution. Regular emails are not intended for exchanging sensitive documents, because if emails are intercepted, unauthorized users will have access to your valuable data.
On the other hand, using a secure file sharing solution will automatically encrypt sensitive files so you don't have to worry about a data breach. Remember that your files are only as safe as the tools you choose to share them with.
5. Use anti-virus and anti-malware software
As long as you are connected to the internet, it is impossible to be completely protected from malware. However, you can greatly reduce your vulnerability by ensuring that you have anti-virus software installed on your computers.
6. You use a VPN (VirtualPrivateNetwork) to make your connections private
For a more secure and private network, use a virtual private network (VPN). It will encrypt your connection and protect your personal information, even from your ISP.
7. Check links before clicking
Links can easily be disguised as something they're not, so it's best to double check before clicking on a hyperlink. In most browsers, you can see the target URL by hovering over the link. Do this to check links before clicking on them.
8. Don't be lazy with your passwords!
Put more effort into creating your passwords. You can use tools like Password manager where you can create and store strong and unique passwords.
9. Turn off Bluetooth when you don't need it
Devices can be hacked via Bluetooth and your personal information can then be stolen. If there is no reason to have Bluetooth on, turn it off!
10. Enable 2-factor authentication (2FA - FactorAuthentication)
Many platforms now allow you to enable 2-factor authentication (2FA) to keep your accounts more secure. It's another layer of protection that helps verify that it's actually you who's accessing your account, and not someone who's not authorized. Enable this security feature when you can.
11. Remove adware from your computers
Adware collects information about you to serve you more targeted ads. It is best to rid your computer of any kind of adware to preserve your privacy.
12.Double check for HTTPS(HypertextTransferProtocolSecure) on websites
When you are on a website that does not use the HTTPS protocol, there is no guarantee that the transfer of information between you and the website's server is secure. Double check that a website uses HTTPS before giving out personal or private information.
13. Do not store important information in unsafe places
When you store information online, you want to keep it in a location that cannot be accessed by unauthorized users.
14. Scan external storage devices for viruses
External storage devices are just as susceptible to malware as internal storage devices. If you connect an infected external device to your computer, the malware can spread. Always scan external devices for malware before accessing them.
15. Avoid using public WiFi networks
When you connect to a public network, you share the network with everyone who is also connected. Any information you send or retrieve over the network is vulnerable. Stay away from public networks or use a VPN when connected to a public network.
16. Avoid the "I'm safe enough" mentality.
Unless you are completely isolated from the rest of the world, there is no such thing as being "safe enough". Big companies like Facebook invest a fortune in security every year, but they are still affected by cyber attacks.
17. Invest in security upgrades
Following the previous advice, try to invest in security upgrades when they are available. Better to eat the cost of security than pay the consequences of a security breach!
18. Create backup copies of important data (Backup)
Important data can be lost as a result of a security breach. To make sure you're ready to recover data once it's lost, you should make sure your important information is frequently backed up to the cloud or a local storage device.
19. Invest in employee training
The key to making cyber security work is to ensure that your employees are well-trained, synchronized and consistently apply good security practices. Sometimes, a mistake by an improperly trained worker can cause the entire safety system to collapse.
20. Use HTTPS on your website
Installing an SSL certificate and enabling HTTPS on your business website will help you encrypt all information traveling between a visitor's browser and your web server.
21. Hire a "White Hat" hacker.
Not all hackers are bad. Some hackers disclose security risks to help others improve their cybersecurity by keeping them aware of security flaws and fixing them. These hackers are known as "white hat" hackers who are ethical and can help you find risks you didn't know you had.
(MX/SC)
