We never think our organization is at risk of data breaches until we find ourselves in a crisis situation. As for any risk management strategy, it is important to ensure that you are preventing your business and your personal life from being the victim of a cyber-attack. Many times, users aren't even aware they have made a mistake that could cause a data breach, so it is essential that you understand a few ways in which you could be putting your data at risk and how to avoid it.
Here are a few tips to stop putting your data at risk without realizing that you are doing so:
1. Know how to detect phishing
Phishing is a method used to trick users into providing hackers with sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or passwords by posing as a trusted institution or individual. Phishing is also commonly done by tricking a user to click on a URL that does not exist but will allow a hacker access to your computer's information.
I'm sure your inbox fills with unwanted mail on a daily basis, but it isn't always easy to detect what is real and what is phishing in the digital world. A research conducted by FireEye concluded that 90% of cybercrime starts with an email, which is why it is extremely important to train your team to detect suspicious emails or text messages – if something looks suspicious, always err on the side of caution.
2. Always update your security system
Hackers are always learning new ways to invade systems without showing any signs of that invasion. Due to that, it is always important to stay one step ahead of them and ensure that you are conducting frequent updates to your security system that include security patches that can fix possible vulnerabilities within your system.
3. Use different passwords for work and personal accounts
I am sure you have heard that advice before, and it isn't something that is easy to do. In a 2017 report by LastPass, the passport management service discovered that an average employee manages 191 passwords, which is why it makes sense that you would want to reuse them – the human brain can only remember so much.
However, it is estimated that 81% of data breaches occur because of a weak or stolen password. If a hacker obtains access to 191 different accounts, it can create a domino effect that could, most certainly, lead to a huge crisis. When personal passwords are also used for work, hackers can gain access to information that is extremely sensitive and confidential.
It is extremely important that users always change their passwords and ensure that they are unique. Since the human mind can only remember so much, there are services such as 1Password and LastPass that can store secure passwords into one safe vault.
With the advances in digital technologies, cyberthreats will only increase and become more sophisticated – and, therefore, harder to track. It is always important to ensure that you are up to date with the latest security software and that you take every precaution possible to avoid a potential crisis.
At Phoenix Systems, we care for your and our data security. We hope you find this information helpful and if you have any other question, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
