Security Tips to Share During Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October
In October, we celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CSAM). This is a great time to brush up on your security habits! Additionally, you can make sure you’re doing everything you can to protect your business online. Here are some easy security tips you can implement today to help keep yourself safe online.
Keep Your Software Updated
The first step in maintaining good cybersecurity practices is to keep your software up to date. This includes your operating system, web browser, and any apps you have installed. Many times, software updates will include security patches for vulnerabilities that have been discovered. By keeping your software up to date, you’re helping to close any potential gaps in your system that could be exploited.
Use Strong Passwords
Be sure to create strong passwords and never reuse them. A strong password is typically at least eight characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. You should also avoid using easily guessed words like “password” or easily accessible personal information like your birthdate. To further protect your accounts, enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that requires you to confirm your identity with a code sent to your phone or email in addition to your password. This makes it much harder for someone to gain access to your account even if they have your password.
Ditch Your Reused Passwords
We get it, trying to remember a different password for every single site you visit is daunting. That’s why most people either use the same password for everything or slightly modify a password they already have. However, this is incredibly insecure. It’s also one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your accounts and sensitive information.
Don’t Click On Unknown Links Or Attachments
You should also be aware of the types of cyber threats out there so you can better protect yourself against them. For example. one common type of attack is phishing, where scammers try to trick you into clicking on a malicious link or attachment in an email or message. These links and attachments can install malware on your device or direct you to a fake website designed to steal your personal information. Another type of attack is ransomware, where hackers encrypt your files and demand a ransom in order for you to regain access to them. This can be especially devastating if important business or personal files are affected.
Back Up Your Data
It’s important to back up your data in case your device is lost, stolen, or damaged. Backing up your data can help you recover your files if something happens to your device. There are a few different ways you can back up your data, including using an external hard drive, cloud storage, or a backup service.
Use A VPN
A VPN (virtual private network) can help protect your online privacy and security. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and route it through a server in another location. This makes it difficult for others to track your online activity or steal your personal information. When choosing a VPN, look for one that offers military-grade encryption and doesn’t keep logs of your online activity.
Make Cybersecurity Accessible
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of a cyberattack is to ensure that everyone in your organization is aware of and invested in cybersecurity. Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done. Many people view cybersecurity as dry and technical, so it’s important to find ways to make it more relatable and accessible. One way to do this is by sharing relatable examples of how cyberattacks have impacted real people or businesses. Another way to make cybersecurity more accessible is by investing in user-friendly security solutions that don’t require a lot of technical expertise to set up and use.
Employ a Zero Trust Strategy
A Zero Trust strategy is an approach to security that doesn’t rely on predefined trust levels. Instead, it starts with the assumption that everyone and everything is untrustworthy and verifies everything before granting access. This is different from the traditional security approach, which is based on predefined trust levels. With a Zero Trust strategy, all users and devices are treated in the same manner, regardless of whether they’re inside or outside of the network perimeter.
Cybersecurity is an important issue that everyone should be aware of
By implementing even just a few of the tips above, you can help make yourself and your business more secure online. During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, in October, be sure to spread the word to others about the importance of cybersecurity and how they can protect themselves online.
Need Help Improving Your IT Security Posture?
If you need help getting started, our team of security experts would be happy to assist you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you secure your business. At Copperband Tech, your needs come first. Contact us today via our contact form or call us at 931-263-8000.
