Preventing cybersecurity threats should be a top priority for any organization, large or small. By taking preemptive action and implementing proactive measures, organizations can help protect themselves against malicious attacks.
Make life easy for your IT department
Organizations should make life easy for their IT departments by implementing policies and procedures that help to keep information secure. For example, requiring employees to use strong passwords and setting up two-factor authentication can help to prevent unauthorized access to company data.
Additionally, having a clear and concise policy regarding the use of personal devices for work purposes can help to reduce the risk of data breaches. You can also make it easy for IT staff to access and review systems and devices remotely.
Use strong passwords
One of the simplest and most effective ways to do preemptive cybersecurity is to use strong passwords. A password that is hard to guess and that is different for each account will make it much harder for a hacker to gain access to your information. Additionally, using two-factor authentication whenever possible can help add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
Keep your software up to date
Another easy way to do preemptive cybersecurity is to make sure that you are always running the latest versions of your software. Software companies often release updates and patches to fix known security vulnerabilities, so it is important to install these updates as soon as they become available. Additionally, be careful about what software you install on your computer, as some programs can be riddled with security vulnerabilities.
Use strong encryption
If you need to send or store sensitive information online, using strong encryption is a must. This means using a strong password to encrypt your data, and only sharing the password with people who absolutely need it. Additionally, consider using a tool like a password manager to generate and store strong passwords for you.
Be careful about what you click on
One of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your computer is by tricking you into clicking on a malicious link. Be very careful about what emails and attachments you open, and only click on links from trusted sources. If you are unsure about a link, you can always hover over it to see where it will take you before clicking.
Use a VPN
When you connect to the internet, your traffic is typically unencrypted and can be intercepted by anyone who is monitoring the network. A VPN (virtual private network) can help protect your traffic by encrypting it and routing it through a secure tunnel. This means that even if someone is monitoring the network, they will not be able to see what you are doing online.
Use a firewall
A firewall is a piece of software or hardware that helps protect your computer from unauthorized access. It does this by blocking traffic from certain sources or ports and can be used to help protect your computer both when it is connected to the internet and when it is not. Using firewalls is especially important right now given that so many employees are working from home and potentially also from unsecured public networks in places like cafes, libraries, coworking spaces and airports.
Use a secure browser extension
Secure browser extensions can help protect your privacy and security while browsing the web. Some of the most popular extensions include HTTPS Everywhere, Privacy Badger, and Adblock Plus. These extensions work by encrypting your traffic and blocking trackers and ads.
Be careful about what you post online
One of the main ways hackers gain access to people’s accounts is by stealing their login credentials from social media or other websites. This is why it is important to be very careful about what you post online and to never share your login credentials with anyone. Social engineering attacks are becoming increasingly common, so it is also important to be aware of the various ways hackers can try to trick you into giving them your information.
Use two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional layer of security that can be used to protect your accounts. With 2FA, a second factor (usually a code sent to your phone) is required in addition to your username and password in order to log in. This makes it much harder for someone to gain access to your account if they only have your login credentials. To make it even harder, consider using something like cloud radius authentication, which makes it even harder to fake authentication and bypass security.
Conclusion
Preemptive cybersecurity is essential for protecting your computer and your data. By using the tips in this article, you can help make it much harder for hackers to gain access to your accounts and information. It is important not to be reactive when it comes to securing company and customer data or risk being the next headline.
