5 tips for protecting yourself from hackers

With technology becoming more and more important to our daily lives, businesses are finding themselves at increasing risk of a data breach. But there are ways you can protect your organization from a cyber attack.
We rely on technology multiple times a day, every day. Almost as soon as we wake up, we’re plugged into the world wide web, using it to shop, talk, inform ourselves and for entertainment. And this has even become the case for businesses, as almost every industry has been transformed by the rise of technology in recent decades.

This, of course, can be seen as a good thing. Technology and connectivity helps to make businesses run more smoothly, makes processes less tedious and bridges the gap between consumer and company. 

However, there is a darker side to technology as well, in the form of hackers. Cybercrime is becoming more and more of a problem for businesses in every field. There is plenty that organisations can do as a whole to improve security, such as holding regular meetings, investing in the cloud and encrypting files, but what about things you can do yourself on a personal level? Here are our top tips.

Don’t use public Wi-Fi when accessing sensitive data

We often use our phones or computers without thinking. As long as we’re connected, we’ll happily surf the web. But if you’re getting work done in a coffee shop or hotel and relying on their public internet connection, be wary of where you go online. A lot of people are all too willing to check sensitive business documents or financial records when hooked up to a less than secure connection. The smart thing to do is to wait until you’re on a connection you can be sure of.

Turn off the things you aren’t using

Never underestimate just how smart hackers are when it comes to accessing data. They can often use the applications and systems on your devices that you aren’t even using yourself in order to gain information on your connection, location or business. So get into the habit of only using features like GPS tracking and wireless connections when you need them, instead of leaving them on by default

Use a strong password

Having a strong password is one of the most basic things you can do as an individual to improve your own personal security. Make sure your password isn’t something obvious, like your date of birth or a pet name, and always be sure to include a range of characters including upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Also, avoid using the same password for everything. It might make things easier to remember, but it also makes it easier for hackers to access not just one aspect of your business data, but various strands of it. By having the same password for customer details and financial records, you’re putting both factors at risk.

Choose apps wisely

Don’t just download any old app because you think it might be useful. Check whether they come from a reputable source you can trust, and look at the reviews to see what people have to say about them. Make sure you update your software and apps regularly, and delete any apps you aren’t currently using.

Get help when you need it

Getting to grips with business security is no easy feat, and it can also be time consuming. Seek support from experts like Syntax IT Support London who can point you in the right direction when it comes to boosting your security and avoiding a cybercrime.