8 Cyber Security Tips Your Employees Need to Know

In 2020, the global cost of cybercrime is expected to exceed $2 trillion. Cyber criminals aren't just after big corporations and government agencies. Small businesses, in particular, have become a favourite target of cyber criminals. According to Verizon's 2018 Data Breach Investigation Study, small businesses account for 58 percent of malware attack victims, with over 70 percent of cyber attackers specifically targeting them.

Human error—employees who unintentionally react to malicious emails or fall prey to other forms of malware attacks—is one of the many factors that lead to data breaches. As a result, while people are a company's most valuable asset, they may also be its most vulnerable security weakness.

The solution to reducing this risk is proper computer and information security training and education for your employees. Visit Nextdoorsec to in details about different types of cyber attacks.

Are your employees jeopardising your data? Continue reading to discover the most important IT and cyber security tips that all of your workers should be aware of (and follow)!

A single weak password has the ability to compromise not only the data of an entire enterprise, but also the data of its customers, suppliers, and partners. As a result, it's crazy how many people use passwords that are completely insecure. Every year, SplashData releases a list of the top 100 worst passwords, and 12345, 123456, 12345678, and “password” consistently rank at the top of the list.

Try using a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Keeper if you have a lot of passwords to remember.

Hackers would have a harder time infiltrating the data infrastructure if you put up more barriers. Multifactor authentication, or MFA, is based on this concept.

MFA incorporates two or more distinct credentials: what the user knows (such as a password), what the user has (such as a security token), and who the user is (a biometric verification like a fingerprint).

Multi-factor authentication should be a top priority for all of the company's channels.

Swiping a card and entering a pin are two examples of MFA.

• Logging into a website and being prompted to enter an additional one-time password (OTP) sent to a phone or email address by the website's authentication server.

• Scanning a fingerprint, swiping a passport, and answering a security query.

Phishing is an online scam in which criminals send an email that appears to be from a reputable organisation and requests confidential information from users. An employee who has been duped may give the attacker access to a wealth of information, so it's critical to train the employees how to spot such an attack.

Here are some warning signs that your IT department should teach your workers to look out for:

The Email's Displayed Name – Just because a name appears in the "from" box does not mean it is the sender.

Don't Click on Suspicious Links! Be cautious if the web address shown when you hover over the connection does not appear to match the sender. Also, be careful of emails that lead you to a website that requires a password, as this is the most common way for hackers to steal valid login credentials.

Mistakes in spelling or grammar – if anything doesn't look or sound correct, it's probably not genuine.

Strange Salutations – If the contact normally addresses you by your first name, but the email addresses you as "Valued Customer" or "Important Client," be wary.

Request for Sensitive Information – If you are asked for sensitive information, pick up the phone and call a known number to confirm the request.

The majority of people mistakenly believe that software downloads are secure as long as the software comes from a reputable source.

In fact, these downloads will expose you to a variety of security threats. What's important to remember is that the source of a program's download is just as important as the programme itself. There are several websites on the internet that offer free versions of well-known paid programmes. However, trojans, spyware, worms, viruses, and other forms of malware can be included in these downloads.

If at all possible, restrict downloads to business machines to reduce the risk. Be sure to scan all downloads with anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Prepare comprehensive download protocols and ensure that the workers are aware of them. Instilling a cyber security culture in your business begins with emphasising information security to your employees.

5. Use Multiple Lines of Communication (hearing a voice is nice—and safe).

Malicious emails are not always sent by complete strangers. They may tend to be from trusted friends or colleagues.

6. Don't Forget About Application Updates (They're More Relevant Than You Think)

While the endless warning windows are inconvenient, they should not be ignored. These software updates are an essential part of keeping your apps and software safe.

Hackers are aware of the weaknesses of out-of-date systems, so businesses must stay up on all updates. Many workers feel that programme changes are either unnecessary or optional. They aren't, to tell you the truth. They're a crucial line of defence against new forms of threats.

The workplace is evolving. Employees do not all operate from the same place. Some people work from home, while others spend a lot of time on the road. Restaurants and cafes have evolved into meeting places and work environments. This necessitates the use of public WiFi.

The issue is that using public WiFi at a hotel, restaurant, cafe, or airport is extremely dangerous! If two devices are linked to the same network, malicious worms or other types of malware may spread from one to the other.

Social engineering is a broad term that applies to a variety of deceptive practises that use psychological manipulation to persuade users to divulge confidential information. Perpetrators are particularly patient, waiting in the weeds for their intended victims to collect data and background information. After that, they win the victim's confidence by offering apparently innocuous excuses for them to divulge confidential details.

What makes social engineering so risky is that it preys on human error, which is much more unpredictable—and difficult to track—than exploiting software and operating system flaws.

• Do not open emails from unknown senders. In any case, this is sound advice.

• If an offer seems to be too good to be true, it probably is.

• If you're not at your workstation, lock your laptop.

• Check to see if the antivirus and anti-malware programme is up to date.

• Maintain a high level of cyber security awareness.

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