Technology is nothing if not convenient. From a Cyber Streetwise perspective, now that we are firmly lodged in the digital age, we have immense power when it comes to saving and retrieving information. Gone is the necessity for storage rooms devoted wholly to files and folders; the cloud and on-site servers provide extensive memory for all the data a company could generate—plus, employees no longer waste time sifting through old and disorganized filing cabinets. The Internet and internal networking systems allow companies to function faster and more efficiently. However, there is a danger that lurks with our dependency on technology. More than ever before, we are vulnerable to the theft of our information through digital means.
With mobile digital devices hitting record sales, companies need to make their employees aware of the importance of protecting themselves from a cyber-attack, as cyber-criminal activity is at a record high as well, especially among small and medium businesses (SMEs). The degree of public ignorance concerning cyber security is rather surprising; reports show that less than half of people download Internet security software on their new devices, and more than half fail to verify a website’s security before making an online purchase.
Confidential information and risk of attacks
When a company’s confidential data is on the line—or even a home user’s information—a cyber-attack can be crippling. Not only does a cyber-criminal invade privacy, gaining access to private or personal information, but a cyber-attack can be especially damaging to a business’s or individual’s finances. A company’s digital files likely contain important customer data, which can include payment information. Target Corporation’s recent data breach demonstrates the disaster that this can spell for brand reputation and a company’s bottom line. Some governments are picking up on the importance of preserving the security of corporations. The U.K. in particular is campaigning for a shift in the public perception of online security.
Risk mitigation – Home user or Business user
The best way for users to avoid a cyber-attack is to take extreme precautions. Here is a list of best practices when it comes to ensuring security and preventing vulnerability:
Install Updates and Antivirus Software
Once you purchase any device that can connect to the Internet, your first step should always be to set up barriers against cyber-attack. Antivirus software is available for mobile and fixed devices, and often you can find good programs for low expense. However, you should always take into consideration the delicacy of the information you are protecting. If you are a business that keeps track of a great deal of customer data, you might want to invest in the security a professional IT support team can provide—in addition to regular antivirus software, of course.
Once you purchase any device that can connect to the Internet, your first step should always be to set up barriers against cyber-attack. Antivirus software is available for mobile and fixed devices, and often you can find good programs for low expense. However, you should always take into consideration the delicacy of the information you are protecting. If you are a business that keeps track of a great deal of customer data, you might want to invest in the security a professional IT support team can provide—in addition to regular antivirus software, of course.
Keeping your devices maintained is also crucial to success in cyber security. Too many people put off installing updates because of the delay it creates in the speed of their devices. This is a mistake. If you are a chronic clicker of “Update Later”, remember that a cyber-attack will hamper the use of your device more than a simple update.
Be Email Savvy
It feels like email scams are a thing of the past—merely the punch-lines of jokes in late ‘90s sitcoms—but the infrequency of email scams could make them more dangerous. You should be on constant alert when reading your email; cyber-criminals continue to pump out phishing scams to trick email users with lowered guards. If an email looks like spam or is from an unfamiliar source, be wary of opening it or clicking any links.
It feels like email scams are a thing of the past—merely the punch-lines of jokes in late ‘90s sitcoms—but the infrequency of email scams could make them more dangerous. You should be on constant alert when reading your email; cyber-criminals continue to pump out phishing scams to trick email users with lowered guards. If an email looks like spam or is from an unfamiliar source, be wary of opening it or clicking any links.
Use Strong Passwords
Passwords, especially email passwords, are the most valuable tool you have to protecting your security. If a cyber-thief gains your email password, he or she can reset your other online password, locking you out of all your important sites. To prevent this, you must generate unique yet memorable passwords that a person or machine would have trouble guessing. Often, the best way to generate a password is to write a memorable sentence or phrase and alter it to look more unique. For example, the phrase ‘Iced Soy Vanilla Latte’ could be rewritten ‘1cedSoyV4n!llaLatt3’ and be a fantastic password. Or, the sentence ‘Vegetables are great for you’ could be rewritten ‘VRg84U’, which is a short phrase that is difficult to predict.
Passwords, especially email passwords, are the most valuable tool you have to protecting your security. If a cyber-thief gains your email password, he or she can reset your other online password, locking you out of all your important sites. To prevent this, you must generate unique yet memorable passwords that a person or machine would have trouble guessing. Often, the best way to generate a password is to write a memorable sentence or phrase and alter it to look more unique. For example, the phrase ‘Iced Soy Vanilla Latte’ could be rewritten ‘1cedSoyV4n!llaLatt3’ and be a fantastic password. Or, the sentence ‘Vegetables are great for you’ could be rewritten ‘VRg84U’, which is a short phrase that is difficult to predict.
It is especially crucial to enact these measures if you or your business has experienced a cyber-attack in the past. Learn from your past mistakes, and begin safeguarding your future by becoming cyber streetwise.
No comments:
Post a Comment