This is a sponsored guest post from Jillian Aviles.
Many of us have adopted working from home as the new norm. While it offers numerous advantages, it also comes with additional responsibilities due to the frequent occurrence of cyberattacks every 39 seconds on the web. Digital correspondence has always been a key target for hackers, as it contains valuable personal information. In fact, according to an IBM survey, organizations with more than 60 percent of employees working remotely experienced higher average data breach costs than those without remote workers. Businesses must ask, but not be limited to, how to protect virtual mailboxes. It is important to stay safe and secure online when using all means of communication. We will help you create appropriate communication conditions.
Cybersecurity Tips for Digital Correspondence
#1 Be Aware of Phishing Emails
One cybersecurity tip that is often overlooked but crucial is to be extremely vigilant about your email and the links contained within it. It is important to repeatedly emphasize this point to individuals who may not have a deep understanding or regular exposure to cybersecurity.
- Always verify the sender’s email address to ensure its authenticity before taking any action.
- Pay attention to any notable and consistent spelling mistakes within the body of the email, as these are common red flags in both spam and phishing emails.
- When in doubt, directly contact the supposed sender in person or through a phone call to verify the authority of the email.
#2 Block Banners and Ads in the Browser
Pop-up banners are not always just advertising a product or service, they can be a disguised phishing attack or malicious code. If you get rid of advertising, you can prevent some attacks and make using websites easier. But how to block ads in Safari without complex steps? To block Safari ads you only need to install a powerful VPN extension with the corresponding function. VeePN successfully copes with ad blocking and protects your connection using encryption technology and traffic anonymization.
#3 Strengthen Your Passwords
To maintain account security, it is crucial not to reuse passwords. Utilize strong and distinct passwords for each account. If a cybercriminal manages to access one account, they won’t be able to gain entry to all other accounts if unique passwords are used. According to a Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), 81% of hacking-related breaches involved stolen or weak passwords. Protect yourself from cyber threats, especially when working remotely, by creating complex and diverse passwords.
To accomplish this, avoid easily guessable words or personal information, like your name, address, or date of birth. Instead, use phrases and combine lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make the password harder to crack. Lastly, consider utilizing password managers or generators to assist in creating secure and unique passwords for each account.
#4 Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Adding an additional layer of security to your accounts is accomplished through two-factor authentication. Even if a hacker succeeds in obtaining your password, they will be unable to access your account without the second verification method. The second verification method can take the form of a text message, an email, biometric data, or an authenticator app. Implementing two-factor authentication offers a straightforward and highly effective means to safeguard your online identity.
#5 Keep Your Software Updated
Cybercriminals constantly develop new ways to breach systems, while software developers patch those vulnerabilities. Ensure you regularly update your operating systems, browsers, and apps to benefit from the latest security patches and stay ahead of hackers.
#6 Use a Password Manager
Now is the time to start using a password manager if you haven’t already. With this tool, passwords are stored in an encrypted database that only you can access. Additionally, websites will be logged into automatically when needed. But this does not negate the need for at least a free VPN, since passwords can be intercepted. The VPN encrypts passwords the moment they are sent to the site.
The use of a password manager eliminates the need to write down or reuse passwords across multiple accounts. It allows you to generate unique and strong passwords for each account. Access to these passwords is granted using just one master password.
#7 Set Up an Emergency Communication Plan
It is crucial to prepare for potential cybersecurity threats or hacks (although we hope you won’t encounter them if you follow these cybersecurity tips). Ensuring that you, your colleagues, and other users on the same network know what to do in emergencies is vital. Work with them to create a plan and ensure everyone is on board with it. Small and medium businesses (SMBs) in the UK face approximately 65,000 attacks per day. This makes having an emergency communication plan even more crucial in case of an attack.
#8 Backup all Important Data
Regularly backing up important files is a prudent practice that requires just a few minutes and can save hours of stress in case of unforeseen mishaps. Critical data comprises Word documents, excel sheets, essential tabs, emails, human resources files, and all payment records linked with the company. Data backup is usually automated, but if that is not available, it is recommended to back up all relevant data at least once a week, either off-site or on the cloud.
Conclusion
By integrating these cybersecurity practices into your online routine, you fortify yourself against the ever-changing threats on the internet. Regularly updating and adapting these measures will enhance your digital presence, ensuring its robustness and security in the dynamic online environment. Remember, you are creating a suit of armor for your online activities.
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