Cyber crime is without a doubt one of the fastest growing crimes in the world and continues to impact businesses in all industries, hence why it’s so important to be aware of the most up-to-date cybersecurity tips and best practices. There are a number of cybersecurity tips that can help you prevent cyber attacks. Keep reading to check out our top cybersecurity tips for 2022!
1. Keep hardware & software up-to-date
Softwares typically require regular software updates for three main reasons; to add new features, fix any known bugs, and upgrade security. Outdated computer hardware may not support the most recent software security upgrades. Additionally, old hardware makes it slower to respond to cyber-attacks if they do happen. Always keep your software updated with the latest version in order to protect yourself from new or existing security vulnerabilities.
2. Avoid opening suspicious emails
If an email looks suspicious, it generally is! Avoid opening any suspicious looking emails as they could potentially be phishing scams trying to gain access to your personal information. Often, these emails contain attachments or links that, once opened, can infect your devices with malware like viruses, spyware or ransomware.
3. Check links before you click
Following on from the above point, always check links before clicking on them! Nowadays links can very easily be disguised as something they’re not so it’s always best to double check before you click on a link. On most browsers you can see the target URL by hovering over the link, allowing you to check the link before clicking on it! If you suspect your device has been compromised after clicking on a phishing link the first thing you should do is disconnect the device from the internet and from all other networks. This will prevent malware from spreading to synchronized devices.
3. Use a secure file-sharing solution to encrypt data
If you share confidential content regularly you need to strongly consider using a secure file-sharing solution. Regular email platforms are not designed to exchange sensitive documents as they can be easily intercepted, allowing unauthorized users to access your personal data. Using a secure file-sharing solution such as Google Drive or OneDrive will automatically encrypt sensitive files so that you don't have to worry about a data breach. End-to-end encryption prevents sensitive files from being leaked, protecting private information and sensitive data. It also enhances the security of communication between applications and servers.
4. Use anti-virus and anti–malware
As long as you're connected to the web it's near impossible to have complete and total protection from malware. However, having the appropriate anti-virus and anti-malware installed on your device can significantly reduce your vulnerability. Once it's on your device, malware can steal your data, encrypt it so you can’t access it or even erase it completely. Anti-virus is essential for anyone wanting to protect their data and computer systems from being corrupted.
Keep an eye out for part 2 of our top cybersecurity tips coming soon!