In today’s digital world, cyber safety is a critical concern for individuals and organisations alike. While implementing and maintaining cybersecurity can be complicated and expensive, there are still simple strategies you can use to effectively protect yourself, your family, and your business from cyberattacks.
Here are five simple cyber tips to get you started
1. Think before you click
The most common way cybercriminals gain access to your data and systems is through phishing – an attack method that involves sending malicious links or attachments in emails or SMS messages. To avoid falling victim to these attacks, take a moment to think before you click. Consider whether:
a) The email or message is unsolicited or from an unknown source.
b) Whether it sounds too good or bad to be true.
c) Whether it’s asking you to change your login credentials when you haven’t specifically requested to.
2. Do some security awareness training
Knowing how hackers operate and how to identify threats can help you prevent or respond to cyberattacks. There are plenty of free resources available online, and even a short video can be helpful to build your cyber awareness. Remember that the amount and quality of training you need will depend on the cyber threats you’re likely to face.
3. Keep your apps and devices up to date
Installing updates for your laptop, phone, and apps is essential to maintain stronger cybersecurity. Many updates contain fixes for security vulnerabilities that could compromise your device or network. Additionally, removing unused apps reduces your attack surface and limits potential targets for cybercriminals.
4. Use a password manager
Using weak passwords or reusing passwords across multiple accounts makes it easy for cybercriminals to take control. With over 100 online accounts on average, remembering strong and unique passwords is virtually impossible. A password manager generates and stores unique passwords for all your accounts, so you’ll only need to remember one password to log into the password manager itself. Make sure your password is strong and enable multi-factor authentication for an extra layer of security.
5. Enable multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication requires at least two forms of authentication to grant access to your accounts, making it much more secure than a password. You should enable it for your most critical accounts, such as online banking and email, to protect yourself from cyberattacks. The most common form of multi-factor authentication combines your password with a code sent to your phone via SMS or generated by an authentication app.
Following these simple tips will strengthen your defences against cyber threats whether you’re in the office or at home.
How Ever Nimble can help
If you’re looking to reduce human cyber risk for your business, our CAT platform provides a complete solution to train, test, and measure your staff’s cyber security awareness. Learn more about it here.
Article written by Emily M-G, Manager Cyber
