Cyber Insiders Detail How to be Prepared for a Cyber Attack

03.13.2020
By: KCD PR Editorial Staff

The average cyber-attack happens every 39 seconds.

The global coronavirus pandemic is also creating a new era of cyber-attacks. You are being targeted, so pay attention. The truth is, we live in a target-rich environment. Hackers have so many options when it comes to stealing your data.  The more security measures you put into place, the less of a target you become.

What can you and your business do to protect itself in this new era? Here are the most critical steps to take right now.

1. Patch your systems

If you’re an individual, turn on auto-update for your phone, computer, etc. It may be a small inconvenience when you turn  on your device and are prompted to restart it. But, in almost every update pushed out right now, its patching security flaws.

Waiting the additional two minutes for a software update on your personal computer is well worth it. However, it’s harder for large corporations or organizations with big servers that remain on all the time. For example, if a website is taking orders, it’s going to be a little hard to patch. Regardless, it needs to be a high priority.

2. Identify the type of data and the critical things you have

Identifying the most critical data files works for businesses and individuals. What do you want to make sure that you keep secure as an individual? Perhaps, it’s your family photos or your bank accounts. You need to turn on additional security features and make backups.

3. Password Problems

Another simple tip that seems so obvious is changing your password. Experts recommend that  it’s quite common for a password to be “password.” Selecting a passphrase the length of a sentence is going to be the new norm.

There are algorithms and processing computer power breaking into strong passwords. The first thing they access is the password side of the equation. If you have an easy password, they’ll quickly figure that out. Then, boom! They’re in. Hopefully, they have to get past the other security measures you have in place.

To maintain simple cybersecurity health, use strong passwords. There is no way you are going to remember all of them. This is why a password locker app is important. It will keep track of all your passwords and even generate the password for you. You don’t need to know, or even try to remember your passwords. The app keeps track and also helps insert your password in the right apps and tools when you need it.

4. Turn on your two-factor authentication

You have probably noticed a large portion of the major cloud providers, such as iCloud and Dropbox, have a two-factor authentication option.  When you log in on one device, a second device, your cell phone, will prompt you to enter a four or five-digit code. Therefore, even if a hacker gets your password, they still need your cell phone or a token to activate it. It makes you a lot harder to target as an individual. Always select the two-factor identification option.

5. Encrypt your data files

It is important to encrypt your data on your computer, a backup drive, and even the cloud. Whatever you’re doing, stay safe, and make sure those elements are encrypted.

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