The wilds of the internet continue to cause chaos.

From weak passwords to sneaky phishing scams to the influx of remote work, more and more sensitive information is moving online and into cloud storage. The picking is ripe for hackers.

As a company, our mission is to help educate the general public and businesses about online security practices.

Here are four ways you can protect your online footprint, whether you’re doing a little online shopping at home from your tablet or working remotely on your company laptop.

#1: Lock up your online security habits

Please. Don’t be that cringy one. You know, the one who uses the same password for every account? Hackers love you.

One of our favorite resources, the National Cybersecurity Alliance, shares insightful content regularly. They say, “with a little knowledge, a dash of effort, and a few minutes of time, you can keep your sensitive data and computer systems locked down tight.” Read more about the basics of staying safe online with their list of 10 tips.

We understand the fatigue surrounding updating passwords and software. But we promise, a little bit of effort will make a big difference in the long run. Your future self will thank you!

#2: Take control of your privacy and data management

Did you know that in 2021, the National Cybersecurity Alliance co-created Identity Management Day, an annual April event? It’s one more way they’re helping spread knowledge about the importance of identity management.

You must take control of your own data privacy. Your data will not automatically grow awareness and keep itself safe. That’s your job. And a few small changes will keep you in good data health. While it might not be top of your fun list, integrating these simple tips into your digital habits will go a long way for protecting your identity online. 

#3: Keep your machine clean

Identifying if your computer has a virus (and what to do about it) is a super helpful tool in your digital toolbox. Generally speaking, if you notice reduced performance, you should run a virus scan.

Some viruses brick your devices and make them impossible to use, but more often viruses slow down your computer or steal your data. Pirated media and free games are common culprits, and so are phishing attacks where you click on a bad link, button, or email attachment. Here are some more detailed steps from the NCA to check your own machine for a virus (and how to fix it).

#4: Put the smart back in smartphone

As smartphones have proliferated in society, BYOD (bring your own device) policies at businesses have become the norm. Answering phone calls and emails outside of office hours is sadly, fairly commonplace (especially in the U.S.).

But mobile services have become a major cybersecurity risk for businesses.

Smartphones that are not considered part of a company’s IT infrastructure may still be able to access and leak sensitive company information.

Mobile malware attacks have risen an average of 15% per year since 2018 and a recent report revealed a 42% global year-on-year increase in cyberattacks. Given that this number has been growing for a number of years, this represents a serious problem.

Read more here about some effective tools to help solve these issues, and how to safeguard your company’s private data.  

If you’d like expert insight into how you can implement best security practices at your place of business, contact Rick today for a free consultation. We’re here to help!

Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash