In uncertain times like these, it’s important to stay vigilant about IT security. The Internet is full of malicious links and viruses, and the people who would like to hack into your accounts are not taking a break. One wrong click can end up costing a lot, and maintaining security of all devices and computers is essential. Here are our tips for staying safe.  

1. Don’t sell yourself short. Experts report that most security breach victims believed that it wouldn’t happen to them. They considered themselves unimportant and didn’t take precautionary measures to maintain their devices’ security. Remember: We are all attractive targets to hackers.
2. Make password management a top priority. If there’s one tip on this list that can’t be ignored, it’s this one. Setting and generating and then maintaining, storing and updating passwords wisely is something that should be practiced at the personal level, as well as the enterprise level.
3. Don’t use the same password twice (or on separate accounts). This is where our desire for convenience ends up backfiring. If you have used a password once, don’t ever use it again — definitely not on the same account, but also never on any other account.
4. Don’t leave your devices unlocked. Whether computers, mobile phones or tablets, our electronic devices contain personal data that could cause serious harm in the wrong hands. Before you leave your workstation area, press CTRL+ALT+DEL on your keyboard and click on LOCK.
5. Be extra careful while clicking links and attachments in emails. The threats posed by phishing are real and millions of people find that out the hard way every year. Be wary when clicking on attachments and links because even when the sending party looks legitimate, there is a possibility that they might not be.
6. Know what you are downloading and who the source is. Limit downloads to those that you can easily deem to be credible; you can do so by verifying the authenticity of the website and by checking the integrity of the downloaded file. Remember that malware applications are often cleverly disguised. You won’t know what hit you until it’s too late.
7. Use anti-virus software. Your smartphones and computers should all have anti-virus software installed. It is of paramount importance to keep these applications updated. If you don’t have an anti-virus application running on your device at all times, you are taking unnecessary risks.
8. Maintain backups. All company data should be backed up on a daily basis. Catastrophes and accidents can happen to anybody.
9. Avoid clicking on flashy advertisements. The internet is laden with enticing advertisements. It’s okay to click as long as you can handle the repercussions. If the ad leads you to a malicious webpage, be vigilant and close it immediately.
10. Know what’s going in to your computer. Any device that you plug in to your computer should come from a trustworthy source. If it’s an application installer, make sure that you can verify the credibility of the manufacturing company. If it’s a USB stick (or any other storage device), plug it in only if you know you are protected.

Contact Dick Bachmeier, Business Technology Services Manager at NCG, for more tips and advice.