9 Easy Ways to Improve Cyber Security

9 Easy Ways to Improve Cyber Security

Let’s face it, data breaches caused due to compromised passwords are at rise and causing havoc. The reason behind it is majorly our carelessness. It isn’t difficult to fight against these attacks. By taking some actionable steps, we can try to protect our business and individual data.

In this article we will discuss nine effective ways that will help stop criminals from stealing our identities. We all have heard about them often but have not paid attention to them. Therefore, it becomes necessary to reiterate them so that you can avoid being a victim of data theft. Here we highlight the most important ways to fight off intruders. Hope you will understand the risk involved and will follow these ways to stay protected.

Also ReadHow to Use Windows AppLocker to Prevent Cyberattacks

Best Ways to Improve Cyber Security

1. Use a Password Manager

Use a Password Manager

Knowing the cause of the problem is half battle won. Passwords are the major part of the problem. Generally, we create an easy password that is combination of our name, date of birth or name of our favorite thing and use it for most of our accounts. But doing so we forget hackers are creative and they can easily crack them by using certain tools.

Therefore, using Password Manager is an easy way to stay secure as they create complicated long passwords with random characters that are hard to crack for each account. User will have to remember a master password and leave rest for the password manager to take care. Password Manager will create complicated password for each account thus making them secure.

 2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

Most of the time we become aware of an attack when it has already taken place making it difficult to stop. Therefore, setting up multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential. Whether it’s an email confirmation code or security token, all will create an extra barrier for the hacker, making it difficult for him to get into the system easily.

Also ReadIs Windows Defender Good Enough for Your PC

3. Use Complex Passwords

Use Complex Passwords

If you are using a Password Manager then you have already taken the first step towards security. While creating a password one should adhere to some basic rules: Use minimum of 10 to 12 characters, a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers with special characters, no personal information and nothing that would reveal your personal identity. Anything less will put your data at risk. With time hackers are becoming smarter and so is technology therefore, you also need to advance and think in the same direction as hackers do to secure your data.

4. Don’t Use Same Passwords

Dont Use Same Passwords

The biggest and most common mistake most of us make is using the same password and username for all accounts. Meaning, if hackers can access one account, then all the corresponding ones are automatically at risk. Thus, making it difficult to stop the damage. To keep accounts secure, one should use unique password for each account and especially the sensitive accounts should not have same and easy passwords.

5. Avoid Using Public Networks

Avoid Using Public Networks

Using public Wi-Fi may seem an easy way to save data pack while on the go. But they are tricky, as nothing good comes for free. You may have to compromise your data as the cost of using public Wi-Fi as it the most common and easy source to trap user and get hands on user’s data. Therefore, to stay secure avoid connecting to public networks especially when accessing banking sites or making online transaction. You can use public networks to browse common information but using it to check mail or any personal accounts is not advisable.

6. Keep Your Software And Operating System Updated

Keep Your Software And Operating System Updated

Being secure in this unsafe world sounds impossible but we can still try. By keeping the operating system up-to-date and by installing security patches we can achieve it. No piece of software is 100% secure therefore security updates are released from time to time. Avoiding installing updates is not a good idea, hackers always looks for such system that are not updates. As virus can easily infect such machines. Therefore, to seal the exploits, it is advisable to install update every time you are notified or can enable automatic updates to avoid being a victim.

7. Beware of Social Engineering

Beware of Social Engineering

Sharing your passwords or login credentials with anyone is not a good idea. If anyone asks for your credentials through email, phone or texting a warning bell should ring. This is a potential scam and don’t fall for it. Therefore, to stay safe, remember the old school saying never trust anyone.

Also Read5 Security Threats You Need To Be Aware Of

8. Keep a Check on Administrative Privileges

An easy way to stay secure is by keeping an eagle eye on software installations, suspicious web history and permission requests. It helps you to stay on top of what’s going on your system and helps you notice the irregularities that may be caused due to malicious software on your machine. Therefore, by being cautious when installing a new software or update is good idea. Install software and updates from trusted sites and give administrative privileges only when required to minimize spread of malware infection.

9. Encrypt and Take Data Backup

Regular or incremental backup is very important as it helps your stay one step ahead of hackers. If your your system is attacked or you are locked out of it you can easily restore the data and work without being bothered about the attack. Creating encrypted backup makes your even more secure as you avoid the risk of attackers taking control of backed up data.

These nine tips will surely help you stay one step ahead of hackers. But they will only work if you use them before anything wrong happens. Because once an attack takes place it is becomes difficult for anyone to stop it. We all know this but forget most of time due to which we suffer a lot. Therefore, it’s better to take precautions beforehand rather than repenting later.

Next Read: Cross Site Scripting: Let It Not Snoop Over Your Browser

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