Protecting ourselves from the growing number of cyber-crimes is becoming more and more important as the influence of technology continues to grow. As we become more connected to our online lives, it makes sense that we learn the best ways to protect ourselves from the cybercriminals who want to steal our data, and educate those around us so that they too are protected. No matter how technologically competent you are, even the most technical of us are prone to forgetting or brushing over the most basic of tech security, and by doing that we allow criminals to gain easier access to our private data and communication.
The Importance of Passwords
Basic password hygiene should be ingrained by now, but if you’re still using password123 on everything from your bank account to your Facebook page, then you’re going to become a victim eventually. Having a strong password is the first line of defence against the criminals that want to profit from your online data, and selecting a strong password needn’t be complicated. If you need to use the facilities of a Password Manager, then you will be making the task of hacking your accounts all the more difficult for those with malicious intent.
Install Firewalls
For most of us a firewall is a useful network security system, but for business owners, it’s even more important. No matter which firewall you use, they are able to protect your network, data and the security of your company. Most routers contain a standard firewall as part of their protection, but for those at most risk of cyber-attacks, having a specialist piece of hardware such as a Sonic Wall from sonicwallonline.co.uk can make you much more secure due to their increased number of security features. While your home router may cover the basics, for those that manage larger quantities of data than the average social media user, it is imperative that you maximise your security in every way possible.
Backup your data
In the event of an electrical surge or power outage, backing up your data on a regular basis will protect you from excessive data loss. If you come under attack by the new forms of ransomware, then having a recent backup storage facility, whether it’s Dropbox or any other Cloud-based system, will help your recovery time to the point where any loss is negligible. Having backup protection in place is one of the most basic security tools at our disposal, and yet so few people maintain the basics, and as a result, they increase the risk of becoming cyberattack victims.
You can never protect yourself too much from the threat of malicious online activity, but by following these three basic starting points, you can drastically reduce your vulnerability. It is essential when we manage so much of our daily lives online that we protect ourselves as much as possible, and sensible measures are often the first to be neglected. Cybersecurity is not as complicated as people often believe, and by using these basic security rules, you will have the extra level of protection that you need.