Cyber Security Tips for Computer Security Day

Blue Rock Computer security dayBR

 

It’s Computer Security Day on 30th November. In today’s digital age it is more important than ever to keep your online world secure. With new, agile hacking methods being developed constantly, consumers need to be cyber savvy to keep their data safe and avoid cyber-crime.

To help keep you safe online, we have put together our top tech security tips with cyber defence consultancy business, Blue Rock.

 

  1. Create Complex Passwords. We know you’ve heard it before, but creating strong, unique passwords for all your critical accounts really is the best way to keep your personal and financial information safe. This is especially true in the era of widespread corporate hacks, where one database breach can reveal tens of thousands of user passwords. If you reuse your passwords, a hacker can take the leaked data from one attack and use it to log in to your other accounts. Our best advice: use a password manager to help you store and create strong passwords for all of your accounts.

 

  1. Click Smart. Now that you’ve put smart tech measures into place, make sure that you don’t invite danger with careless clicking. Many of today’s online threats are based on phishing or social engineering. This is when you are tricked into revealing personal or sensitive information for fraudulent purposes. Spam emails, phoney “free” offers, click bait, online quizzes and more all use these tactics to entice you to click on dangerous links or give up your personal information. Always be wary of offers that sound too good to be true or ask for too much information.

 

  1. Be a Selective Sharer. These days, there are a lot of opportunities to share our personal information online. Just be cautious about what you share, particularly when it comes to your identity information. This can potentially be used to impersonate you or guess your passwords and logins

 

  1. Protect Your Mobile Life. Our mobile devices can be just as vulnerable to online threats as our laptops. In fact, mobile devices face new risks, such as risky apps and dangerous links sent by text message. Be careful where you click, don’t respond to messages from strangers, and only download apps from official app stores after reading other users’ reviews first. Make sure that your security software is enabled on your mobile, just like your computers and other devices.

 

  1. Keep up to date. Keep all your software updated so you have the latest security patches. Turn on automatic updates so you don’t have to think about it, and make sure that your security software is set to run regular scans.

 

  1. The Free Wi-Fi warning. Do not be fooled into thinking free Wi-Fi is secure because it certainly isn’t. It only requires a hacker to position himself between you and the connection point. So instead of taking it directly to the hotspot, you can be unknowingly sending your information directly to the hacker. The hacker can gain access to every piece of information you process online including important emails, credit card information and even security credentials to your business network. Once the hacker has that information, he can — at his leisure — access your systems as if he were you.

 

The threat of cybercrime can be daunting. However, following simple measures and staying cautious will help to keep you and your data safe online.

 

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