28 Apr How to improve your cyber security and safety
Online cyber security has never been more important than in 2021.
There’s no doubt that cyber criminals and those crazy folk that have too much time on their hands and decide to use it to hack and disrupt good folks websites and accounts are on the rise!
That is why, here at Sure Communication, we hold Government-backed qualifications in cyber security to help ensure we can provide the highest level of protection and knowledge in this evolving field for the safety of our clients, their customers and ourselves.
It’s often in the news which the big culprits are of this unsavoury and damaging behaviour, and we probably don’t need to spell that out to you.
Thankfully, most people are aware of just how important their online security is. However, it never hurts to check all’s working well and increase knowledge and protection because these people never stop honing and developing their evil cyber attack skills!
The online security was even beefed up significantly for the recent 2021 Oscars because most of it was being hosted online for the first time in its 93 year history. Hackers were indeed not welcome to the glitzy movie party. One of the Oscar winners isn’t a shy guy when it comes to online presence, and Sir Anthony Hopkins didn’t just win another Oscar. He’s been winning more fans worldwide with his brilliant social media posts during the lockdown and beyond.
Did you know, even allowing the more minor attacks to happen can highlight your vulnerabilities to other hackers for them to carry out a more invasive hack and obtain more from you or inflict more significant damage!
That’s why, even if you’re not a business or website owner. Suppose you use the internet or any digital applications at all. In that case, it’s vital you have robust protections on all of your devices and even more critical if you are a website or business owner.
The UK Government (thankfully) takes a strong view on cyber security. As a result of the exponential growth of intelligent connectivity devices which belong to the Internet of Things (IoT), they are now considering a new cyber security law that will force brands to provide greater security protection on anything from smartphones to kids toys.
Not only are we qualified in cyber security, but we also only use the most robust data centres too. We’ve been partnered with Rackspace for many years. They are a world-renowned, international data storage and security company that constantly innovate to keep cloud data protected and harmful attacks at bay.
One way companies can ensure accounts are less accessible for hackers to access is through two-factor authentication. You’ve probably already heard of it and are likely to be already using this added layer of online security. We use it on our CRM system alongside several other of our bespoke built web systems. While some people find it an annoying extra step, most realise that it’s an essential layer to help protect all that precious data, especially when it comes to the safety of your customer’s data too!
If it makes sense for your bank account…
Talk to us about this if it’s not something you’ve considered before and you would like to know more. We have applied this to several of our client’s portals, utilising text or email two-step authentication.
Discover 10 Simple Ways to Keep Yourself, Your Customers and Your Loved Ones Safe Online
- BACK UP YOUR DATA!
- Keep your software updated on ALL devices and your hardware in good working order too.
- Build STRONG passwords, varying them and updating them regularly – Include upper case, lower case, numbers and symbols.
- Only shop on secure websites with a little padlock in the URL field (HTTPS = SSL certified) and also have some form of SiteLock, TRUSTe or other known security payment feature.
- Go old school and use a FIREWALL and your systems other FREE inbuilt security features. Get all the security you can get your digits on.
- If you don’t know it or you’re the teeniest, tiniest bit unsure… DO NOT CLICK IT! Be careful of what you choose to download too!
- Be cautious about what you share on social media, just the smallest of personal detail can enable cyber criminals to take advantage!
- Use trusted and powerful security software for your online activities and have a regular clear out of your cookies, search history, stored files…
- Ensure your internet connection is secure and if you are working from a public or open network, be cautious of the things you view. Consider using your search engines ‘Incognito Mode’ or ‘Private Browsing’ option when working online in a public space or accessing personal data records like your bank etc. Firefox is particularly good for this, they give you really simple ways to make your search super secure.
- Watch your kids and/or parents online activity like a hawk. You never know who they’ll end up talking to, what information they’ll end up sharing or what they’ll end up purchasing! Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
If this article has brought up any questions regarding your cyber security and what you can do to make your online business activities safer, please get in touch to discuss how we can help you.
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