In the day-to-day shuffle of online activity, it can be easy to get in the pattern of doing what is quickest or most convenient, rather than doing what is secure. But because cybercriminals never rest, it is crucial that you don’t let down your guard. Here are a few bad habits of which we are all guilty that should be avoided:
- Doubling (or tripling) up on passwords. Although using the same password for all accounts is easiest to remember, this makes your accounts much more susceptible to security breaches. Passwords should also be changed frequently – we recommend every three months – and in accordance with compliances such as HIPAA.
- Not enabling 2FA. 2FA, or two-factor authentication, requires users to present two authentication components to verify a user’s identity as an added layer of security. Many sites have begun employing 2FA, including Facebook, which is an excellent idea to enable.
- Trusting unknown emails. If you receive an email from an address of which you are not familiar, play it safe and delete it right away. Clicking on links or attachments in corrupted emails is detrimental to your device’s security. It also would be a good idea to consider using hosted exchange with a firewall, spam filter, etc.
- Not running anti-virus. You’ll never know if your device is infected with a virus if you fail to run anti-virus scans at least once a month (once a week is better). Many people are under the impression that Macs are immune to viruses, but this is untrue – anti-virus software should be used on BOTH PCs and Macs.
- Connecting to public Wi-Fi. It may be tempting to connect to public Wi-Fi to avoid using up your phone’s data, but the more people on the same Wi-Fi, the more you are at risk of getting infected with a virus. When handling work or private information, consider using a VPN or hotspot on your phone.
- Roughing it when it comes to company security. Being a business owner is a lot of responsibility, but don’t let online security fall through the cracks. In order to ensure your company is taking all the appropriate security measures, seek the advice and services of a professional IT company.
- Not updating software updates and patches. The only way to combat hackers is to stay one step ahead. Because cybercriminals always seek vulnerabilities and take action, update patches whenever possible. Avoid clicking the “remind me later” option when a notification pops up.
Online security is something that requires constant vigilance. If you have any questions about whether or not you are taking optimal security measures, give us a call at 970-419-0602.
