6 Proven Tips to Avoid Cyber Attacks
In today’s technology-driven society, the risk of cyber attacks is higher than ever. Entrepreneurs and firms must be spontaneous and responsive enough to prevent falling prey to cyber threats. According to a survey, 5.6 billion malware attacks were carried out globally in 2020 alone.
The best strategy in this regard is to monitor and identify the issue before it occurs and be readily equipped in case of any uninvited threat. It is always better to be safe than sorry. The good news is that it is now possible to beat the attackers through some expertise. You need to be on the ball and follow these specific tips and hacks to avoid cyber attacks.
- Strength of your Password
Longer passwords are the safest ones. You may use long and complex paraphrases and include unrelated, capitalized, lowercase words, numbers, and special characters to make hacking more challenging.
Changing your password every three months is also an effective strategy. Never use the same password throughout your company.
2. Trust None
It may sound rigid to you but always be alert for any unknown emails or links. Limit the personal info you share online. Emails, phone calls, and flyers are the primary source of Phishing scams. Clicking any malicious link or opening an attachment may infect your system, ultimately leading to a ransomware attack.
According to statistics, 54% of responding MSP’s considered the Phishing Scams to be the leading cause of ransomware attacks in 2020.
3. Update your software regularly
It is crucial to update your operating system and software to help prevent a breach. Always turn on the automatic update for your system and software. Always prefer using web browsers with automatic security updates, such as Chrome or Firefox.
Using older or outdated versions of operating systems or software proves to be a gateway for attackers to have direct access to your high-profile info.
4. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN app builds a strong connection between you and the internet. VPN works both ways. First, it encrypts the information you send across the internet to make it inaccessible. Secondly, it hides your IP address, making it almost impossible to target you. Try to use a VPN while accessing public Wi-Fi. About 26% of internet users prefer to use VPN globally.
5. Secure your device
In order to secure your data in the best possible manner, you need to install an effective antivirus as well as a firewall. A firewall helps to keep external threats from accessing your system in the first place. In contrast, an antivirus is a software to protect your system against internal attacks and malware.
6. Outsource protection
Cyber security is sometimes challenging for businesses to handle by themselves. In such cases, outsourcing cyber security is the most effective way to deal with cyber attacks.
The cyber security firms conduct regular screening and backup of your data. They provide secured multiple authentication options for your system along with a strong firewall. They keep an eye on the online threat exposure.
The Bottom Line
It takes only a few minutes to follow the tips and secure your system for an extended period. The hunt for cyber security doesn’t end here. Apart from securing your system and opting for a VPN, you must train your employees to limit data access and usage. Instead of beating about the bush and losing your private information, data, and even savings, isn’t it better to rip it in the bud????