Unsure of how to make sure your devices are fully secure… Here’s our advice

Here are our tips on making sure your devices are fully secure.

SECURITY IS IMPORTANT – HERE’S OUR HANDY TIPS:

 

1. You are a potential target to hackers:

• You should never say “it won’t happen to me”. Everyone is at risk from cyber-attacks and the potential implications that an attack could cost your business can be devastating.

 

2. Back up your data:

• Make sure to back up your data on a regular basis.
• If there is a security breach within your computer or a malfunction, the only guaranteed way to repair your computer is to erase and re-install the system.
• Meaning that if your data is not backed up it will be lost more than likely forever.

 

3. Install anti-virus and cyber-security protection:

• Only install anti-virus programs from a known and trusted source.
• Make sure to keep these systems up to date. They are constantly adapting to ensure that your computers will be safe from any new forms of attack, if the software isn’t updated you might not be fully protected.
• Intalect provide a range of products to assist with this, many of which you may have already

 

4. Keep Software up to date:

• Making sure your software stays up to date is vitally important in keeping your data secure. Software’s are constantly adapting to ensure that your computers remain safe from any new forms of attack.
• Turn on Automatic Updates for your operating system.
• Use web browsers such as Firefox or Chrome that receive automatic and frequent security updates.
• Make sure to keep your browser plug-ins (Java,Flash, etc.) up to date.

 

5. Avoid Phishing scams:

• Phishing or spoofing scams are a constant threat. There aim is to trick you into revealing personal information such as your login ID and password, bank details or card information.
• They usually disguise themselves as being from official sources, like your bank or building society or websites such as Amazon or Ebay.
• The scams can be carried out by phone, text or even through social networking sites, but they are more commonly carried out through email
• Click here to access our post on ways to identify a phishing scam and how best to protect yourself.

 

6. Ensure your password is secure:

• We all have too many passwords to remember and it can be easy to take short-cuts. However, this can leave you vulnerable to being easily hacked across multiple sites.

 

Here are some general password tips:

• Use long passwords- 20 characters or more is recommended.
• Use a strong mix of characters.
• Never use the same password for multiple sites.
• Don’t share your passwords and don’t write them down (especially not on a note attached to your monitor or laptop).
• Update your passwords periodically, at least once every 6 months

 

7. Be careful what you click:

• Avoid downloading software from untrusted sources or even visiting unknown websites. These sites often host malware that will automatically begin to compromise your computer as soon as you click on it.
• Also be careful with regards to links and attachments within emails, if they’re unexpected or suspicious don’t click on it.

 

8. Never leave devices unattended:

• If you need to leave your computer, phone, laptop or tablet for any length of time ensure that you lock it up to prevent anyone from being able to use it.
• If you hold sensitive information on an external hard drive and flash drive, make sure you keep these locked up as well.

 

9. Protect your sensitive data:

• Try not to have sensitive information stored on usb sticks etc. as these can be easily lost and are not hard to access if they fall into the wrong hands.
• Always use encryption when storing or transmitting sensitive data
• Make sure to remove sensitive data files from your system when they are no longer needed.

 

10. Keep your mobile devices safe:

• Lock your device with a password or PIN– never leave it unprotected in public
• Keep your device’s operating system updated
• Don’t click on links or attachments from unsolicited emails or texts
• Only install apps from trusted sources
• Avoid sending or storing sensitive data on your device
• Backup your data

 

 

Some additional tips to help keep your devices secure:

• Monitor you accounts for suspicious activity- Most sites will send you an email if they spot any suspicious activity occurring within your accounts
• Use public wireless hot-spots wisely– Free wi-fi can be easily tapped into by hackers, allowing them to monitor what sites you go on and the information you give out whilst you’re connected
• Make sure you have a firewall
• Be careful of what you plug in to your computer
• Usb’s, flash drives, CD’s and even smart phones can contain malware
• Shop or bank online only on secure devices and networks – Make sure to logout of these sites once you have finished using them

 

If you need any additional help or advice feel free to contact us directly, we’ll be more than happy to help you.