With more and more of our lives online, there is often little separation between what we might share or post on the Internet and what we keep to ourselves. So it is now more important than ever to be aware of staying secure when using online services and protecting our businesses and us. Read on for some useful points to keep in mind to help you stay secure and safe.
Have a robust password – and avoid using the same one
Passwords are the first line of defense when it comes to cyber security. You will likely have a password for your laptop, smartphone and any other digital device that you use to connect with online content. A strong password will usually have a mixture of numerical characters and letters, as well as special symbols. While they need to be memorable for you, you should avoid using phrases or words that are too obvious, such as the name of a pet, celebrity or significant date. You should also make sure to use unique passwords for each service, as using the same one can put all of them at risk.
Steer clear of unknown links, downloads and other suspicious behavior
One of the most common ways that a business or personal computer is attacked is through the installation of a harmful virus or piece of malware. These work in many different ways, such as enabling a third party to see what is on your computer, giving them access to sensitive and confidential material, to attacking what is stored on your computer – causing it to crash and potentially lose information. It’s helpful to have a review from a reliable cyber security service provider like Zeta Sky to help you understand what to avoid.
Keep your data backed up
As more of our collective information is stored online, away from physical data storage devices, the potential loss of data can have a much higher consequence than previously. Data can be lost or destroyed either accidentally or purposely, but either way, the impact it can have can be just as bad. You should always make sure that your data is backed up on a regular basis, ideally everyday, or sooner if you are a business. This will enable you to recover anything that might have been lost and get back to a normal pattern as soon as possible.
Be wary of the networks that you use
Wi-Fi networks have transformed the way that we use online media, both for professional uses and for home life. However they can often pose a serious threat to the security of online activities, particularly when using unsecured networks that do not have any protection. Avoid using these at all if possible, or if necessary, make sure that you do not access any secure and confidential data when using a public or unprotected network, as you will be at a greater risk of a security breach in these cases.