How to Avoid Data Breach

How to Avoid Data Breach

The most important question both businesses and individuals have today, is how to keep their data safe? As data breach is becoming rampant, avoiding it is not easy. But with technological advancement there is nothing to worry as there is a solution for every problem.

Now, it’s up to the businesses and individuals how they will use it to stay protected. Data breach leads to financial loss, identity theft and losing customers’ trust. These ugly situations lead to disaster and shutting down a company. But worry not in this article we will make you learn different ways that can be used to maximize protection of your data and prevent any breach.

Shielding confidential data

Purchasing any item that incurs recurring charges is not good. As this gives company full right to save your card details. Imagine if the company’s server is compromised or someone with malicious intent has their hands on this data, what will happen? So, avoid purchasing subscription based products online.
Also, the company’s selling a subscription based product should keep the server security intact. As businesses are a storehouse of unlimited data and if they save card details then it becomes priceless and prone to attacks. Such companies always draw hacker’s attention as they know the address from where they can have access to the treasure trove. Therefore, the systems that store such confidential and sensitive information should be monitored and audited constantly.

Also Read: All You Need To Know About: Scareware

Password protected

Devices connected to a network or online should be secured with a complex password. Access to them should be granted to few people who have knowledge about how to use and protect it from unknown threats. This rule applies to all the devices ranging from computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets. Not only this, password should be changed regularly or they can set to expire after interval of 30 days to make the system stronger.

Access privilege

Not everyone should be allowed to access machine inside the business premise. Unique login credentials should be given to each person based on their expertise and role. Same rule applies for home users. A strict monitoring on data usage and information access should be kept a check on to know if any illegal activity is performed. Plus lock the machine when not in use, do not grant everyone administrative rights and shared computers shouldn’t contain sensitive information.

Data encryption

Businesses cannot work without data exchange but this makes data more vulnerable to attacks. Therefore, it is essential to encrypt the data and minimize the risk of that data being caught and used for fake activities. This rule applies to all devices and both individual users and employees in a company.

Also Read: Difference Between Virus, Worm and Trojan Horse

Security program

An anti-virus or anti spyware program is a must, don’t assume that a free version will protect you. Use paid version of the security application for both business and personal use to guard your machine. Only the best and paid version of the program can protect you from unforeseen threats. They ring warning bell when a notorious activity is detected in the system and when a malicious link tries to open on the computer.

Update OS and software

Both software and operating system receive updates to protect the system and to provide patch for all security loopholes. These updates prevent security issues from damaging the system and making it slow.

Limited remote access

With time things are changing, people now like to work from home by taking remote access of their machines at work. This is risky as the data exchanged back and forth via remote access can be easily hacked. Also, the person who has access to the system via VPN should know the risk involved in it. Using a secure network and trusted apps for remote access is the best way to stay protected from threats.

Avoid using free or public Wi-Fi to communicate with office and to make financial transaction. Plus, if you are using your home Wi-Fi make sure it uses SSID (service set identifier) to safeguard the network from unauthorized access.

Outsourcing

Granting access to third party for making work easier is a common practice. But this is the riskiest method as this gives complete access to user, to someone who is not part of your company. So, if you are opting for such service ensure whosoever is using it doesn’t have all the rights and knows how to protect the data. Also do random audits on user activity to know if nothing is wrong. In case you find any negligence or breach immediately act and break all the agreements you have with the company.

Also Read: Ten Threats to Computer Security

Monitoring software

Installing a monitoring software is a good idea as it gives access to keep a check on the activities performed by a person. By creating an account and logging into it will give you all that you want to ensure safety of the network and data. You can find many software in market that offer such services but use only the trusted ones and download from known sites.

Hope these tips will help you stay protected as data breach is something that can change things upside down. Data breach is something that cannot be taken lightly, especially when we know that businesses and our identity all depends on it. Make your employs and people around you aware about its importance and how they can be a victim if not taken care of.

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