Keeping your network and systems secure and your data out of the hands of cyber criminals is a 24/7 job that gets harder by the day. But there are some simple steps you can take to lessen the likelihood that you’ll fall victim to a cybercrime. Follow these top 10 cybersecurity tips:
1. Notify your IT company if you notice anything suspicious
Getting your IT provider involved as soon as you notice anything strange ensures that experts can quickly investigate and address potential threats, preventing minor issues from escalating into major security breaches.
2. Use complex passwords
Using complex passwords makes it significantly harder for cyber criminals to guess or crack them, thereby reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access to your accounts and sensitive information.
3. Use a password manager
A password manager securely stores and organizes complex passwords, making it easier to use unique, strong passwords for each account while reducing the risk of password fatigue and reuse vulnerabilities.
4. Use multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring additional verification beyond just a password, making it much more difficult for attackers to gain unauthorized access even if they have your password.
5. Apply patches and updates regularly
Applying patches and updates regularly ensures that your software and systems have the latest security fixes, reducing vulnerabilities and protecting against newly discovered threats and exploits.
6. Make duplicate backups of data and systems
Backing up your data to multiple locations ensures that even if one backup fails or is compromised, you still have access to your critical information, minimizing data loss and recovery time in case of an attack or hardware failure.
7. Train your employees
Training employees to spot malicious emails helps prevent phishing attacks and other email-based threats, reducing the risk of accidental breaches and protecting sensitive company information from being compromised.
8. Beware of smishing and vishing scams
9. Lock and store your devices when not in use
Locking and storing devices when not in use, and keeping them out of sight, minimizes the risk of unauthorized access, theft, or tampering, protecting sensitive information from being easily compromised or stolen.
10. Use a private hotspot
Using a private hotspot instead of public Wi-Fi provides a more secure connection, reducing the risk of data interception and unauthorized access that can occur with unsecured public networks.