Insecurity has never been more common. In fact, it is weaknesses in Internet security which has resulted in so many cyberattacks, such as the NHS WannaCry virus and the Sony hackers.
Cybersecurity is because of that. Because people have been used to use the internet casually, they have become accustomed to not being overly concerned about security. In fact, many older generations have forgotten what security actually looks like. This lack of awareness about security has led to what is fast becoming an epidemic.
Today, it is estimated that 95% of all cyberattacks target all kind of businesses. In fact, in 2016, the cybersecurity industry was estimated to bring in over $80 billion.
Unfortunately, this tsunami of cyberattacks shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it is expected that by 2025, the majority of cyberattacks will be against small to medium businesses.
Today, we are going to look at the 5 ways your business can protect itself from cyberattacks.
Guarding yourself against spear phishing emails
Spear phishing emails are where the sender emails a fake email in an attempt to trick you into believing that the email is from a legitimate source. The sender then inserts a link to a website that looks just like the real thing. The link appears to be called something official.
Some of the examples of most common spear phishing emails are:
- Invoice with incorrect invoice amount
- Invoice with a payment due date
- Invoice with a payment amount that is higher than expected
- Invoice that looks similar to a previous invoice
- Invoice with a customer ID that is similar to a previous customer ID
It is important to be vigilant when you receive emails. You can check for common typos in the email. You can also check for the web address of the EML file of the email. If the web address is not correct, then the email is more than likely not from a legitimate source.
If you ever receive an email which looks like the above, do not click on the link.
Implementing a security software
A security software helps to protect your business from cyberattacks by scanning your computer for malicious programs. Every time you download a program or open a web page, the software scans it for potential viruses or malware. It tells you if any new viruses are found.
There are many security softwares available. Some of the biggest names include:
- Symantec
- McAfee
- AVG
- Kaspersky
- Trend Micro
Are your backups up to date?
When it comes to cyberattacks, the fact of the matter is that once someone has gotten in, it is unlikely that they will let you out. This is especially true if you have not been taking regular backups.
You need to make sure that you create regular backups of everything that is stored on your computer. These backups need to be stored offline. You should never rely on cloud storage.
It is also important to make sure that when you want to keep a backup, you encrypt it. This ensures that even if the computer gets stolen, your valuable data is safe.
Secure your emails against cyberattacks
You need to make sure that any emails that you send from your business are secure.
One of the ways that you can secure your emails is by using encryption. Encryption is a method for encrypting information.
Before you send any emails, you need to ensure that you have encrypted the email itself. You need to use a secure encryption method. Some of the encryption methods available are:
- SSL encryption
- TLS encryption
- AES encryption
You should also make sure that any emails that contain sensitive or financial information are encrypted.
Using passwords which are hard to hack
It is essential that you do not use common passwords – Yes, 1234 is no longer an option as password. One simple and common way of hacking into someone’s computer is by using common dictionary words.
For example, “password”. When you type this in, you are essentially telling the computer dictionary words. So, “password” can be an easy word to break into.
You can use password generators to create long, complex passwords that are almost impossible to hack into.
Using secure passwords is important. It will ensure that your emails, passwords and all other information is kept secure.
Conclusion
When it comes to cyberattacks, the truth is that is really a case of “it all depends on”. Some attacks are easy. Some attacks are hard.
The significant thing to remember is that it is all a matter of chance. If you stay vigilant and do everything in your power to protect yourself, then chances are good that you will be able to avoid being a victim of a cyberattack.
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