How to Protect Our Systems from Getting Hacked


Technology has brought about many benefits to our everyday lives. But it has also come with its set of misfortunes, including cybercrime. No one is safe from hackers today, whether as an individual or organization. This is with research showing a 67% increase in security breaches over the last five years.

Cybercriminals are constantly coming with new ways of compromising systems. This makes it vital for everyone to be cautious and take preventive measures against security breaches. The question for many people is how they can protect their online systems. Well, this article outlines some of these ways.

Let’s discover them below.

1. Update Your OS and Other Software Frequently

Cybercriminals primarily target unsecured systems more than they do with well-secured ones. They deploy their bots all over the internet to check for unsecured systems. Outdated systems such as OS and security software are weaknesses that hackers can exploit when looking to infiltrate systems.

You, therefore, need to update security software frequently, if not automatically. The OS can also expose your network if outdated, even for a few hours. The best way is to set your computer to update these settings automatically. You also need to avoid postponing updates once you receive notifications.

2. Keep up with Business Security Requirements

Ensuring that you accurately protect your business from data breaches is essential. Several industries have put requirements in place to ensure companies are safe. An excellent example of such an industry is the electricity supply industry in the North American region.

The North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) is responsible for ensuring businesses comply with its security standards. There are several standards to be met before a company can obtain NERC certification and start supplying electricity. This not only protects consumers but the businesses too.

3. Use Anti-Virus Software on All Your Devices


Viruses pose the biggest threats to business systems. Cybercriminals use viruses to gain access to business systems. Viruses are a massive security threat because you can download them unknowingly, even from the most legit websites. Hackers prefer distributing them through the most trusted websites.

A perfect example is when hackers used Google Play Store to distribute the MobSTSPY malware. Over 100,000 users in 196 countries were affected by this virus. The best way to stay safe whenever such happens is to invest in and use antivirus software for all your devices.

4. Password Protect All of Your Devices

Password protecting your device should never be an afterthought. Passwords should be the first line of defense for your business before you decide to invest in any other form of protection. You should ensure all your devices, including computers, smartphones, watches, cameras, etc., have passwords.

You are at a higher risk of getting hacked if there are multiple password handlers, as is the case in organizations. This makes it vital to have a password policy that states how people should handle passwords.

For instance, your password policy should ban using the same password on more than one device or account. You also need to state in your policy how strong passwords should be. Prohibiting the sharing of passwords among employees is also vital for organizational safety.

5. Use a Firewall

Firewalls are also vital for businesses looking to protect their systems. They are network systems that help control incoming and outgoing traffic on business systems. Hackers take advantage of businesses that have not activated firewalls on their devices and access their sensitive information.

It is worth noting that you need to activate firewalls on your devices as most of them come installed with disabled firewalls. This will ensure that your network and sensitive data are safe even when you access an untrusted external network from a trusted internal network.

6. Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi

Convenience outweighs consequences in several aspects of modern life. This is especially in regards to the use of mobile devices and the internet. For instance, using public Wi-Fi is a considerable risk, especially using devices with sensitive data. But then, an overwhelming number of internet users do it anyway.

This is one thing you need to avoid if you want to prevent hacking at all costs. Cybercriminals lurk on free Wi-Fi and can quickly gain access to devices on the same networks. Therefore, you should learn how to protect your information when using public Wi-Fi or avoid it altogether.

7. Use Dual-Factor Authentication

We have already mentioned that passwords act as the first line of defense against hacking attempts. Now there is a need to add an extra security layer to your networks. This is because you may mistakenly expose your password to malicious persons and put your network at significant risk.

One way to add an extra security layer is using dual-factor authentication. This feature requires a user to enter a code after the password to verify their identity before logging into a system. You can use this feature anywhere from the cloud to your email, social media, and even bank accounts.

8. Practice Smart Emailing


Phishing is one of the techniques that hackers use to infiltrate business systems. This technique involves sending malicious emails to unsuspecting employees in companies. Hackers include links to malicious websites or tempt recipients to download files that contain malware.

The best thing to do is ensure that you and other people in your organization practice smart emailing. This includes verifying email sources before taking any action, such as opening links. Such practices can help keep you safe from getting hacked into by persons with malicious intent.

Conclusion

Protecting business systems is a priority for every business and individual today. This is because people store personal information on their devices, emails, social networks, etc. On the other hand, companies handle sensitive customer data, and losing it to cybercriminals can have huge implications.

This article has looked into some of the ways businesses and individuals can protect their systems. All these practices play vital roles in shutting any security holes that hackers can exploit on a network. As a business or individual, you should consider implementing most if not all of these practices for online safety.

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