Cybercrime and cyber attacks are becoming more prevalent with each passing day. Over half of small and medium businesses have reported being the victims of cybercrimes. Every day, there are new headlines about data breaches, hacking attempts, cyber-attacks, and various forms of crimes against businesses.
In a survey, over two-thirds of the participating businesses had suffered at least one cyber attack. Half of all UK businesses have experienced a cyber breach/attack in the last 12 months.
We have brought together some straightforward tips to help protect your systems:
Use Strong Passwords
Combining three random words that each mean something to you is a great way to create a password that is easy to remember but hard to crack. Do not use words that can be guessed (like your pet’s name). You can include numbers and symbols if needed. For example, “Hippo!PizzaRocket1”
Enable 2-step verification on your email account and any other important account
2-step verification gives you twice the protection, so even if cyber criminals have your password, they can’t access your email. It works by asking for more information to prove your identity. For example, you can get a code sent to your phone when you sign in using a new device or change settings such as your password.
Back Up Your Data
Password Manager (or a web browser) can store all your passwords securely, so you don’t have to worry about remembering them.
As a rule of thumb, you should back up anything you value. That is anything that would inconvenience you – for whatever reason – if you could no longer access it.
You should apply updates to your apps and your device’s software as soon as they are available. Updates include protection from viruses and other kinds of malware and will often include improvements and new features.
Visit the National Cyber Security Centre at ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home.
Another helpful resource is the free cyber action plan at ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/actionplan. You can get a free personalized action plan just by answering a few simple questions.
We at Galaxy IT believe cybersecurity should be the central area of focus for businesses and individuals. The team at Galaxy are trusted IT support partners for many local companies and individuals who often don’t have the time or expertise to implement and manage cyber security successfully. Our contact details are on the advert below.
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