Cybersecurity is crucial for businesses of all sizes. These 6 tips will help you protect your computers and mobile devices from intruders.
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Hackers are criminals who gain unauthorized access to networks and devices, usually with the intent to steal sensitive information such as financial information or company secrets.
You can protect your computers by using firewalls and antivirus software, and by following the best practices for using your computer.
You can protect your mobile devices by turning off Bluetooth when not in use, remembering the Wi-Fi networks you connect to, and using security apps to improve monitoring and security.
The growth of the World Wide Web in the 1990s opened up new opportunities and new industries, but also brought new negative aspects of the connection. Tons of spam began to infiltrate e-mail accounts, and computer viruses wreaked havoc on business networks.
A new threat, known as computer hacking, has expanded the definition of theft to include intrusion into your computer, identity theft, fraud to disclose private data and use that data to steal and demand personal information such as trade secrets, credentials bank account and even the identity of people.
How to protect your computer from hackers
Despite the prevalence of computer hackers, most companies rely on the Internet to track their finances, order and maintain inventory, conduct marketing and PR campaigns, communicate with customers, participate in social networks and perform other important operations. However, we continue to hear about massive computer crashes, even in giant corporations with robust security measures.
Small businesses are also often targeted, especially because they may underestimate the risk of cybercrime and will not have the resources to use costly cybersecurity solutions. Follow these tips to protect your devices and protect your privacy:
1. Use a firewall.
Windows has built-in firewalls, software designed to create a barrier between your information and the outside world. Firewalls prevent unauthorized access to your business network and warn of any intrusion attempts.
Make sure your firewall is turned on before you connect to the Internet. You can also purchase a hardware firewall depending on your broadband router, which also has a built-in firewall that protects your network. If you have a larger business, you can purchase an additional network firewall for your business.
2. Install antivirus software.
Computer viruses and malware are everywhere. Antivirus programs protect your computer from unauthorized code or software that could threaten your operating system. Viruses can have an effect that is easy to spot – for example, they can slow down your computer or delete key files – or they can be less noticeable.
Antivirus software plays an important role in protecting your system by detecting real-time threats to ensure the security of your data. Some advanced antivirus programs provide automatic updates, further protecting your computer from new viruses that appear every day. After installing the antivirus program, do not forget to use it. Perform or schedule regular virus scans to protect your computer from viruses.
3. Use strong passwords.
Using strong passwords is the most important way to prevent network intrusion. The more secure your passwords, the harder it is for a hacker to break into your system.
Safer often means longer and harder. Use a password that contains at least eight characters and a combination of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and computer characters. Hackers have an arsenal of tools to crack short and easy passwords in minutes.
Do not use recognizable words or combinations that represent birthdays or other information that may be related to you. Also, do not reuse passwords. If you have too many passwords to remember, consider using a password manager.
4. Use encryption.
Even if cybercriminals gain access to your network and files, encryption can prevent them from accessing any of this information. You can encrypt your Windows hard drive, encrypt any USB flash drive that contains sensitive information, and use Windows VPN to encrypt web traffic and protect your online privacy. Shop only on encrypted websites; you can immediately notice them with “https” in the address bar along with the closed lock icon.