Cybersecurity
5 Cybersecurity Tips for Halloween
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and what better way to close it out than with a reminder that the real threats to your network do not just come out on Halloween.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and what better way to close it out than with a reminder that the real threats to your network do not just come out on Halloween. According to research sponsored by IBM, the global average cost of a data breach is $3.62 million, with more than 24,000 records affected per breach. For many businesses, a breach costs far more than money. About one in three companies loses 20% of their customers, opportunities, or revenue following an incident.
Here are five cybersecurity practices that can help keep attackers out of your network year-round.
1. Do Not Click Links from Unknown Sources.
Just as you would not accept candy from a stranger on any other night of the year, opening links from unknown or suspicious sources carries real risk. Phishing attacks are designed to look like they come from trusted websites or organizations. They are crafted to collect login credentials, financial data, or account information from people who click without thinking. Rather than clicking a link in an unexpected email or message, navigate directly to the company's website in your browser, or call them to verify before taking any action.
2. Use a Strong, Unique Password for Every Account.
A strong password is one of the simplest defenses available, yet it is consistently underused. Strong passwords include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, symbols, and punctuation. More important than complexity is uniqueness. Using the same password across multiple accounts means that a single breach can cascade into many. Use a different password for every account, change them regularly, and consider a password manager to keep track of them.
3. Protect Yourself on Public Wi-Fi.
A coffee shop, restaurant, or public space may offer convenient Wi-Fi, but connecting to an unsecured public network leaves your device vulnerable to attackers monitoring that connection. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your traffic. A VPN makes it dramatically harder for anyone on the same network to intercept your data.
4. Keep Your Personal Information Encrypted.
Sending personal information online without using a secure connection is the digital equivalent of mailing a postcard with sensitive details written on it. Look for HTTPS in the address bar before entering any personal, financial, or login information on a website. On mobile devices, using a secure website in a browser often provides more visibility into the connection's security than an app does.
5. Be Careful About What You Share and When.
Posting photos or updates to social media while you are away from home tells anyone watching exactly when your location is unoccupied. Many social apps include GPS location data in posts by default. Check the location settings on your apps and disable them unless you have a specific reason to share your location. Cybercriminals use location information to identify targets and time their attacks, including account takeovers that happen while you are distracted and away from home.
Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Year-Round.
These five practices are a solid starting point, but a complete security strategy goes further. Cyber One Solutions can help your business assess its exposure, train your employees, and put the right tools in place. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.