Smarter online security starts with these 4 tips

Online security is something that everyone hears about, but nobody seems to want to follow.

There are plenty of tips that you hear that make you say, “Yeah, I know that.” And then there are other tips that are more than worthy of a double-take (and quite possibly a triple-take).

It goes without saying, but those tips are incredibly important to follow when it comes to business data. After all, when your staff are being unsafe with your data… it’s not just you that suffers.

It’s your customers. It’s your reputation. And it may even involve the fate of your business.

Still, there’s no need to be grim about it. We’ve got 4 simple tips that can keep your data safe.

1. Don’t access sensitive data over public WiFi.

There is such a thing as a malicious WiFi hotspot. And it’s a terror to encounter.

Hop onto one of these connections unknowingly and any number of things might occur.

The cybercriminal can use the gap between your device connecting to the WiFi device and the internet to log your activity and steal your data. Even with a brief moment like that, you can quickly – and accidentally – divulge important data to a malicious actor, such as passwords, files, contact info, and more.

More on this: Norton breaks down why hackers love public Wi-Fi

To keep it on the secure side, never access private or sensitive data on a public WiFi connection. And avoid logging into apps or tools you would prefer to keep as private as possible.

2. Don’t share passwords.

It’s cybersecurity 101, but it still needs to be mentioned — mostly because online users everywhere are still relying on less-than-acceptable password practices. Here are a few general password tips to follow:

• Never share your password over email or over the phone. You never know who can access either to snag the password as they please.

• If you do want to share a password, do it through a password manager. These allow you to securely create a one-way login for someone without jeopardizing your account.

• Seek out different ways to share documents, apps, or information with coworkers. Many web apps allow you to hand out limited account access to people, add someone as a contributor, or simply give someone permission to “view” something.

Related: Pro Tips for Training Employees to Avoid Modern IT Security Breaches

And while we’re on the subject of passwords, never write one down and leave it out in the open for everyone to see. Technically, you shouldn’t write down a password at all. But if you have to do it, make sure it’s locked away somewhere safe.

In other words, don’t write it on a sticky note and stick it to the corner of your computer. Seriously.

3. Don’t postpone important updates

Every now and then, your phone, computer, tablet, or other connected device sends you a specific type of notification. And while this might be phrased any number of ways, it’s ultimate message is the same.

UPDATE NOW.

Usually, you’ll be given the opportunity to update your device now or to postpone it until later. If you’re like most people, then you automatically shoot for the “postpone” option.

But instead of postponing it once, you postpone it again … and again … and again …

This is a bad habit to pick up. Updates to your devices typically entail security patches to known vulnerabilities that prevent them from entering your systems. The longer you ignore the update, the more opportunity you give to cyberthreats to infect an outdated device.

Did you know? Businesses will fall for ransomware attacks every 14 seconds. It’s important to invest in user training to keep your staff away from potential threats like ransomware.

It can be a major pain to take care of the updates yourself, so it’s best to leave it in the hands of an experienced managed IT service provider. In additional to patching, they’ll also keep you secure with a dedicated security strategy.

4. Be prepared for the worst.

There’s about a million other things that you can do to protect yourself from an online security breach. However, businesses need to care about one thing above all else.

How to deal with a cyberthreat that makes it through the defenses.

Training and countermeasures may reduce the chances of breaches and cyberattacks taking effect, but there’s a simple truth to it all:

Nobody in the world can claim to make you 100% secure.

Businesses that are truly prepared know this. That’s why they often partner with IT experts that can build their entire strategy for them.

And when we’re talking about “strategy”, we mean everything from overall security infrastructure to employee training and backup solutions to keep it all going if it goes wrong.

So where can you get such help? Well, as it turns out, right here. Entech can help your business become far more secure online through all of those measures and more. Reach out to us to learn how we can build a security strategy that makes sense for you.