As more of our lives are based online, securing ourselves from hackers becomes more important. Hackers are focused on two things: causing chaos and taking money. They obtain personal information and then use it to create unauthorized charges to your accounts, or they can cause disruption to your business through malware to cause attacks on your service or other issues.
There are a variety of methods to guard against cyberattacks. Most do not require much effort. Begin by encrypting data that isn’t being transmitted over the internet (that includes social security numbers of employees or bank routing digits and other sensitive data). Enable the full-disk encryption software that comes with the majority of operating systems. For Macs, this is FileVault, while for PCs it’s BitLocker.
Always keep your software up-to-date. Make sure you update your software regularly. Many hackers gain access to computers by using outdated programs. Updates correct these vulnerabilities and make it harder for hackers to gain access to your system.
Install a firewall on all your devices. Firewalls are networks designed to manage the incoming and outgoing information on your computer. Windows and macOS both include a built-in firewall, but you should also install an external firewall application to safeguard your home networks as well as mobile devices.
Review your device names and identify your network names and device names. Avoid using personal identifiers, such as your last name or phone number in these names. This could give hackers easy access to your data.
Be wary of discussing your work in public. Even small details, such as your hometown or the names of your pets can be used to help hackers penetrate security systems.