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passwords Tag

09 Oct

Posted at 09:00h in Blog Post
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6 Simple Tips to Protect Customer Data In this day and age, businesses must protect customer data. As cyber-attacks continue to make headlines, hackers are exposing or selling customer data files in record numbers. But just like with any threat, there are actions you can take to minimize risk and ensure your business retains a positive reputation among customers. Stop Using the Same Password Repeatedly Set a mandate for all staff that passwords must be unique for each user and for your workplace. That means it can’t be remotely like the one on their home PC, tablet or online banking. Passwords are hacked more than ever, so when you’re prompted for a password change, dig deep and really think about what goes into a hacker-proof password. If remembering them is a problem, consider one of the latest password management tools. Go On a Shredding Spree How much sensitive data is being dumped into the recycling bin? Valuable customer data is often taken from the bins of small businesses and quickly sold or published. It’s not just good practice to shred sensitive documents, it’s the law. Take 5 seconds to run documents through the shredder or book in the services of a secure shredding company. Ditch the Accounting Spreadsheets Still using an Excel doc for all your number-crunching? Besides making your accountant’s job harder (and more expensive), you’re opening your business to a massive range of vulnerabilities. Even with password-protection, spreadsheets aren’t designed to safeguard your financials or those of your clients. Upgrade to a proper accounting solution with built-in customer data protections and security guarantees. Train Staff Explicitly You can’t rely on common sense because what you think is a given might be news to someone else. It can be extremely beneficial to hold special data-safety training sessions once or twice a year as a reminder, as well as take the time to induct new staff into the way things are done. Limit Access to Data Just like the bank manager who guards the keys to the vault, you can limit who accesses your data. Revoke employee access as soon as they leave your business for good, and set rules around who can access what – and when. Do they need access to sensitive information while working from home? Should they be able to change the files, or only view them? Keep Software Updated Possibly the most preventable hack, having outdated software can be an open invitation for cyber-criminals. They look for known weaknesses in business software and waltz right in. While the nagging pop-ups and reminders to update can feel like a selling ploy, they’re actually helping your business to stay in the safe zone. Updated software gives you protection against new viruses and hacking techniques, plus closes off those nasty weaknesses. If you would like to make sure your business is secure from data breaches, give us a call at 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page...

14 Jun

Posted at 09:00h in Blog Post
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Stay safe from cyber attacks while traveling for business. Managers, owners, and employees are all embracing the flexibility of working while traveling, making it the new global norm. While you were in the office, you were protected by professionally designed firewalls, security infrastructure, and robust software. As soon as you step away from the building, those protections disappear, leaving your device and the data inside at risk. Cyber attackers love to collect any data they can obtain, often preferring to hack first, assess value later. Almost all data can be sold, including your personal details, those of your clients and suppliers, as well as your proprietary business data. The information stored on your device is usually worth much more than the device itself. Here are 3 ways a hacker will attack: Flaunting Opportunity: Whether your employee left their laptop at a café or a thief stole the device, the outcome is the same – that device is gone. Hackers will take advantage of any opportunity to gain access to a device, including taking them from hotel rooms and even asking to ‘borrow’ them for a few minutes to install spyware. Spoofing a Wi-Fi Hotspot: We’ve all come to expect free Wi-Fi networks wherever we go. Hackers will take advantage of this trust to create their own free, unsecure network, just waiting for a traveler to check a quick email. Intercepting an Unsecure Network: Hackers don’t need to own the Wi-Fi network to steal content from it. Data traveling across an unsecure network is visible and available to anyone with the right software. It’s okay, you don’t need to lock all employees inside the building or cancel all travel plans. Taking these four precautions will increase cyber safety and help protect your business data while on the go. Create backup before travelling: In the event your device is lost or damaged,  you can replace the device with a new one. Don’t use public Wi-Fi: Wait until you have access to a secure network before going online. Use passwords and encryption: Secure your device with a password or full drive encryption. Act fast after loss: If your device is lost or stolen, immediately notify the appropriate people. This includes your IT provider, your bank, and any staff who need to be aware of the breach. Need help with mobile cyber security? Call us at 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page...