Following on from last blog post; Cyber Security Top Tips Part 1, we’ve compiled a second list of our top cyber security tips to keep your information safe and secure! Keep reading to check out our top cybersecurity tips for 2022!
1. Be creative with your passwords!
When it comes to setting passwords it’s important to be creative! The best and most secure password is one generated using a random password generator, they combine letters, special characters and numbers to create a hard to guess password.
If you do choose to create your own password, avoid using real words, always replace letters with numbers and/or special characters, create longer passwords with a minimum of 15 characters where possible and always use different passwords for different accounts. Remember - never ever write your passwords down, even if you hide it!
2. Enable 2-factor authentication where possible
Nowadays many platforms encourage you to enable 2 factor authentication to keep your accounts more secure. 2 factor authentication is an additional layer of protection that helps verify that it’s actually you who is trying to access your data. 2 factor authentication is essential to web security because it immediately neutralizes the risks associated with compromising passwords, for example if a password is hacked, guessed, or even phished, it’s not longer enough for an intruder to gain access to the platform, they need additional access from a second factor.
3. Double check for HTTPS on websites
HTTPS uses an encryption protocol to encrypt communications, the S in HTTPS stands for “secure”, meaning this website has a secure connection. When you’re on a website that isn’t using HTTPS there’s no guarantee that the transfer of information between you and the site's server is secure. Always double check that a site is using HTTPS before you give away any personal or private information.
4. Don’t store important information in non-secure places
When storing information online you want to keep it in a location that can’t be accessed by unauthorized users. Non-secure sites are usually not encrypted which means that once you enter your data on that site, someone can easily capture this data by pretending to be you.
5. Scan external storage devices for viruses
External storage devices are just as prone to unwanted malware as internal storage devices. If you connect an infected external device to your computer, the malware can spread. Always scan external devices for malware before accessing them. To scan an external hard drive for viruses plug the USB into your computer and open My Computer. Right-click on the USB icon then select scan for viruses from the drop-down menu. When the shell scanner starts ensure include sub directory is ticked.
6. Avoid using public networks
When it comes to Wi-Fi security the biggest threat is the ability for the hacker to position himself between you and the connection point. When you connect to a public network you’re essentially sharing the network with everyone else who is connected. Any information you send or retrieve on the network is vulnerable. Stay away from public networks or use a VPN when you’re connected to one.
7. Invest in security upgrades
Always be sure to invest in security upgrades when they’re available. It’s better to absorb the costs of security than pay for the consequences of a security breach. Without cybersecurity, hackers can easily infiltrate your system, collect valuable data, and use it to blackmail you or sell it to other malicious entities.
8. Back up important data
Important data can easily be lost as a result of a security breach. To make sure you’re prepared to restore data once it’s lost, you should ensure your important information is backed up frequently on the cloud or a local storage device. Creating and storing copies of data that can be used to protect organisations against data loss. Data backup is also important as it saves important files if a system crash or hard drive failure occurs.