Did you know… Knowledge is key in cybersecurity. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an annual campaign that reminds us of the importance of protecting our information in an increasingly digitized world. For those of us in the cybersecurity industry, this month represents an opportunity to educate the public on how they can stay safe online and protect their devices and personal data. But why is it really important to talk about cybersecurity now more than ever?
We live in an era where technology is present in almost every aspect of our lives. If I check the “screen time” on my cell phone, it tells me that I spend almost 8 hours a day in front of a screen. For me, it’s unavoidable: between answering emails, creating presentations, preparing reports and attending Zoom meetings, my day is spent between my computer and my phone. Like many others, I rely on my devices not only to get my work done, but also to make it to the coffee shop with my friend (thanks GPS!).
As technology becomes an essential part of our routine and makes many things easier for us, it has also brought with it risks that we can’t ignore.
Our Digital World
We live in a completely digital age, where technology has transformed the way we work and communicate. From online banking to grocery shopping to distance learning to video conferencing, technology has made our lives much easier.
However, with this reliance on technology also comes significant risks. The more time we spend connected, the more exposed we are to various cyber threats. Every new connected device is a new gateway that cybercriminals can exploit to gain access to our personal and professional information. This has made cybersecurity more important than ever, as the consequences of a cyberattack can be devastating for individuals, businesses and even governments.
A clear example of this was the recent massive attack that compromised the Social Security numbers of millions of people in the United States. This type of incident puts the identity and financial security of those affected at risk, as hackers can use this information to commit fraud and identity theft, with long-term consequences for the victims.
This attack is just one of many we often see in the news. What was once a concern only for large corporations and governments now affects us all. Whether you are using your computer to work from home, managing your finances from your phone or storing family photos in the cloud, we are all at risk of being victims of a cyberattack if we don’t take the proper security measures.
What Can You Do?
Cybersecurity may seem complicated, but the reality is that there are certain steps we can all take to protect ourselves online. You don’t need to be a tech expert to keep your devices and data safe. Here are four easy actions you can take today to increase your digital security:
1. Use Strong Passwords and Multifactor Authentication (MFA) 2.
One of the most common mistakes people make is using simple passwords or, worse, the same password across multiple accounts. I know it can be tempting to do this to make it easier to remember your passwords, but this is exactly what hackers expect. A strong password should be long and mix upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols.
In addition to using strong passwords, I recommend enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring more than just your password to access your account. This makes it so that even if someone gets your data, they can’t access it without this second factor.
2. Keep All Your Software Up To Date
I know it can be annoying when a notification pops up asking you to update your phone or computer software, but ignoring them is a mistake. Hackers are constantly looking for bugs in software to exploit. When a software company releases an update, they often do so to fix vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
Keeping your operating system, applications and security programs up to date is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself. If you are one of those who always postpone updates, I recommend you to enable automatic updates. This way you won’t have to worry about always being on the lookout, and your device will stay protected with the latest security measures.
3. Beware of Phishing
Phishing is one of the most common forms of cyber attacks today. These usually come in the form of emails, text messages or even phone calls that look legitimate, but are actually looking to steal your personal information or install malicious software on your device. Sometimes these messages are disguised as from well-known companies or even friends or colleagues.
How do you avoid falling into these traps? Always be skeptical of any message asking for personal or financial information. Do not click on links or download attachments from suspicious e-mails, especially if you do not know the sender.
A good practice is to check the sender’s email address. Many times they use addresses that look legitimate, but contain small or strange errors. For example, instead of [email protected], you might see something like [email protected]. These details make the difference between a genuine email and a phishing attempt.
4. Make Backups
Imagine that one day you turn on your computer and discover that you can’t access your files because your system has been attacked with ransomware, or your hard drive simply failed. What would you do if you lost all your important documents, photos or work? This is where having a backup can save the day.
Backing up your most important files on a regular basis is one of the best ways to protect yourself against this type of situation. You can do this in several ways: save your files on an external hard drive, on a USB, or use the cloud, such as Google Drive or Dropbox. The important thing is that, if something happens, you will have a copy of your data to restore it without problems.
Take Action Today!
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated; with small actions like these, you can protect your data and devices against the most common threats. Start today and make sure you stay one step ahead of cybercriminals!
Maribel Hernandez is part of Empowered IT Solutions, a Latino family business specializing in IT and cybersecurity. Along with her team of experts, she understands the importance of security in the digital world and is dedicated to helping businesses protect themselves against growing cyber threats. With a focus on serving the community, our team at Empowered IT Solutions is here to support you and help you protect your business.
