99.9% of accounts get hacked because of this one single reason
2021 Cyber-smart tips to protect your accounts and data online.
Photo: @lindaze via Twenty20
Most people believe they're not a target for hacking, that cybercriminals only go after large companies or governments. The opposite it true.
Cybercriminals can target anyone. Small businesses, non-profits, individuals. But there are steps you can take to not be an easy target for a criminal.
Here are our 5 cyber-smart steps that everyone can take to protect their accounts, data and identity online:
#1 Use 2-factor authentication.
1.2 million Microsoft accounts were compromised in the month of January 2020 alone.
Guess what 99.9% of those hacked accounts had in common?
They did not make use of 2-factor authentication.
In 2021, not having multi-authentication enabled on all your important accounts is a time-risk not worth waiting on. With more and more data breeches and stronger password cracking tools out there, you need a second layer between your key accounts and an intruder.
#2 Use a password manager.
According to Dashlane, The average person has over 90 online accounts. Can you memorise 90 individual secure passwords?
A password manager app is the only safe way to create unique passwords for all of your accounts, store them, and have them typed for you online.
A password manager can also alert you of data breeches related to your accounts. Whether you're an individual, employee or business owner, a password manager is an essential tool to stay in control of all your accounts.
We recommend LastPass for individuals and businesses.
#3 Learn to spot a phish.
Spear phishing is the most popular method used in targeted attacks. Stealing data from businesses is a lucrative crime business. High incentives mean hackers are spending more time crafting effective phishing attacks to line their pockets.
Even with the best spam and phishing filters, the best line of defence is a human recognition. Can you spot a phishing scam among the daily clutter (and chaos) of your inbox?
We’ve also written a short guide on phishing.
Tactics are changing often, so it' always worth brushing up on your skills.
At ShadowSafe, we can implement an advanced phishing protection system for your business. To learn more, Book A Call with James.
#4. Secure your company files.
Cybersecurity firm Varonis, analysed 53.8 billion files and found that only 5% of an average company’s folders are adequately protected against unauthorised access. Just 5%!
Overexposed data presents a major risk to businesses regardless of size, industry or location.
Here are some quick tips to lock down your company files:
Set up group members for different departments in your business
Limit certains folders to certain groups
Create a hierarchy folder structure
Create hard-wired polices around sharing files and folders
#5 Keep up with the latest lingo.
To keep in front of the latest techniques used by hackers, it's important to stay tuned into new terms and lingo.
You likely know phishing = to gaining sensitive information by pretending to be a trustworthy or authoritative source (usually via email).
Smishing = is a targeted attack delivered through sms.
Vishing = is a targeted attack delivered through a voice message or call.
An example of Vishing is where a cybercriminal will call you a pretend to be someone else, such as a bank, and tries to get you to reveal your SMS password or digital token needed to authorise access to an account.
In summary.
Implement these 5 cyber-smart tips today to improve your online security and privacy.
No one wants to be an easy target in the cross hairs of cybercrime. Get prepared now, so that you can have greater peace-of-mind.
Running a business? Book a call with our team to talk about protecting your business technology.
Sources:
https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-999-people-get-hacked-one-ridiculous-reason
https://www.varonis.com/2019-data-risk-report/