The internet is incredibly useful for both work and recreation, but it’s become a terrifying security threat in recent years. Articles seem to be coming out daily detailing security breaches suffered by large and reputable companies. What you may not know is that this can happen to anyone regardless of the size or reputation of your company. There are many ways you can help improve security, and here’s a few tips that we live by.
You know the importance of passwords. Use letters, numbers, symbols… but did you know that you can also use spaces? Most sites and systems that require authentication will allow the use of spaces in your password, which will increase its strength exponentially. It’s also recommended to change your password frequently.
Phishing emails are the most frequent threat we see to clients’ security. Remember, always compare the sender’s “name” with the actual sending address. If you get an email you’re unsure about, never reply to it directly- always call the alleged sender or draft a fresh email to them to confirm they sent it. Want to know how the attacker obtained the information they needed to pose as your boss? Google yourself. You may have done this before but do it again from an attacker’s point of view. The information that’s available on the internet can help a hacker gather the information they need to attack your organization.
Lastly, trust your gut. If you see an email that doesn’t quite look or sound right, it’s probably not legitimate. When it comes to security, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
