The world is changing at lightning speed, and it’s going to keep doing so. Businesses are stressed, people are working from everywhere and hackers are exploiting the chaos.
If you’re not protecting your data, it’s just a matter of time before you get hacked.
If you do, we’re happy to help, but it’s better to be proactive. Here are four things you shouldn’t be doing right now.
Don’t Use Crappy Passwords
If your password is your dog’s name, your birthday, or something predictable like ADMIN, change it immediately. Seriously, if you’re using something like that quit reading this article right now, log in to everything you’re using it for and fix the problem.
Experts predict the damage related to cybercrime will be around the $6 trillion mark by 2021.
THAT’S NEXT YEAR!!!
One of the top eight causes of security breaches is weak passwords. Plus, most people use the same password for everything.
Hackers can find your birthday, your anniversary, your favorite color and ice cream flavor and your pet’s name on Facebook.
Do yourself a favor.
Invent a new password hackers can’t hack. Then use a different password for every account you don’t want to lose.
If that sounds too hard, make it easier with technology.
Create a spreadsheet to log passwords (on a secure, password-protected device) or research secure password storage apps.
Speaking of Facebook, that leads to the next cyber-security caution…
Don’t Share Indiscriminately Online
We’re in this weird space where relationship building is all new. Like, is it okay to hug grandma yet? And what if we say something that could be misconstrued as racist or callous or inconsiderate?
At the same time, we have strong feelings about what we see and hear every day happening to our nation, to the people we love. No matter what your opinion, if you hold it strongly it won’t be long before you find people who agree with you, especially on social media.
When you find friends who seem of the same mindset, don’t automatically assume they’re good people. Hackers use peoples’ beliefs and powerful emotions to disarm.
Don’t share personal information with someone you don’t know just because you seem to feel the same way about politics, current events, the pandemic etc.
Avoid Downloading from Questionable Links
So….it’s just hard. You get the email, you know the whole thing seems a little fishy, but what if it’s real?
What if you really do have a problem at the bank and you ignore it?
Or what if you actually could see something you’ve always wondered about if you just clicked?
Maybe the sender could solve your relationship problems, help you make more money, keep your domain from expiring, share juicy gossip, or expose your embarrassing secrets.
You see the email and you just click on the link. It’s hard to resist. Part of your brain says you shouldn’t, but the other part says “What the heck.”
So you do. Then you get a virus.
Don’t click questionable links.
Don’t Make All Your Cyber-Security Decisions Based on Blog Posts
It’s great to research. Like it’s great to brush your teeth, but you also need to go to the dentist a few times a year.
Research, but also talk to an expert about your business’s cyber-security. Drop us a line or give us a call at (903)752-3965.
