With the amount of personal information you have saved in your electronic devices, browsing unsecured websites and enabling settings can expose you to a cyber attack.
Leaders at the Forbes Technology Council recently shared the following tips on what to be aware of and what to change in order to boost your cyber security and better protect your data, both online and off:
9 Cyber Security Tips
- Apple iCloud Restores
iCloud backups are not encrypted end-to-end. Because Apple encrypts your iCloud backups, it can also decrypt your backups. Prefer not to expose your backup data to Apple? Disable iCloud backups and encrypt iTunes backups locally instead.
- Wi-Fi Hotspots
Wi-Fi hotspots are convenient, but many are easy to hack. Plus, it’s even easier to set up a fake hotspot. Even if a Wi-Fi network looks legitimate, use a VPN if possible connect to keep your data safe from prying eyes.
- Unread Terms and Conditions
While you may not care about giving certain companies access to some of your sensitive data, that does not mean you want unknown third parties accessing it through a cyber attack. Make sure you read the Terms & Conditions when you subscribe to a service and try to monitor news about these services.
- Two-Factor Authentication
Be sure to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on every site that offers it. It’s also a good idea to enable 2FA on your smart devices when available.
- Unencrypted Media
Prevent thieves from accessing the data on your lost or stolen laptop. On a Mac, keep important files and information in FileVault, that requires a password to access your encrypted disk. For Windows PCs, consider using Bitlocker for removable drives since they already have data encryption by default.
- Wireless Mice and Keyboards
Beware of “mousejacking” with your wireless devices connecting to your device. This allows someone within about a football field’s range away to take over a computer. Employees in sensitive industries such as healthcare or finance may want devices with attached keyboards.
- Outdated Software
Hackers can exploit out-of-date software. Be sure to make sure you always have the most recent update on your device by allowing automatic updates.
- Phishing Emails
Some tips for avoiding phishing emails include 1) checking the sender’s email address and verifying the domain, 2) alerting colleagues of any potential phishing emails you see, and 3) examining the context of the email before opening it or clicking on links.
- Human Error
Often, human-related vulnerabilities are the biggest security issues. For example, an unwitting participant might accidentally download malware to their device. It’s important to provide staff training on IT security best practices in order to prevent breaches caused by human error.
Playing Defense
Give your team the training necessary to defend your organization from hackers with Cyber Security Tools for Today’s Environment, an 11-course program from IEEE. Produced and vetted by leading industry experts, this program will help your employees enhance their knowledge and stay current in the field of cyber security. Upon successful completion, they’ll receive valuable CEUs/PDHs that can be used to maintain professional licenses. Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist for a quote today.
Resources
(19 Apr 2019). 9 Cyber Security Issues That Could Be Leaving Your Data Vulnerable To Attacks. Forbes.
I appreciate you writing such an informative piece on internet security. I found your advice to be very useful and straightforward, and I especially liked that you recommended a VPN for added security in cyberspace. Your efforts to safeguard personal information from cybercriminals are greatly appreciated.