When we hear the word “hygiene,” we often think about keeping ourselves clean and healthy. The same concept applies to our online activities, which is called “cyber hygiene.” Cyber hygiene refers to the measures and steps we take to keep our online activities safe and secure, just like how we maintain our personal hygiene by brushing our teeth and taking a shower. It involves simple actions such as using strong passwords, keeping software updated, avoiding suspicious links, and being mindful of the information we share online.
Good cyber hygiene practices are essential to prevent our computer or personal information from being compromised, just like washing our hands can keep us from getting sick. Here are some of the best practices to maintain proper cyber hygiene.
1. Maintain a good password
Passwords are like keys that open the door to your online accounts. But just like how you wouldn’t want to use the same key for every door, it’s important to have different passwords for different accounts. Strong passwords are crucial in keeping your accounts safe from hackers.
However, many people find it hard to remember complex passwords. That’s where password manager apps come in. These apps can generate strong, unique passwords for you to use on any site you want.
Use password managers
Password managers also ensure that you use a unique login for each account, which is important in preventing hackers from using your compromised password to access other services you use. It’s like having a keychain for all your passwords, so you don’t have to remember them all.
Use 2FA or MFA
Another way to improve password security is to use two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of identification, such as a fingerprint or a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.
Another way to improve password security is to use two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts. Instead of relying only on your password, 2FA requires you to provide an additional form of identification, such as a fingerprint scan or a code sent to your phone. This means that even if someone knows your password, they won’t be able to access your account unless they also have access to the second factor of authentication.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA), on the other hand, is similar to 2FA but requires multiple forms of identification. For example, in addition to a password and a code sent to your phone, MFA might also require you to answer a security question or use a physical security key. Using MFA makes it even more difficult for hackers to access your accounts because they would need access to multiple forms of identification, which is much harder to obtain than just a password.
2. Keep all software up-to-date with the latest patches and updates
Keeping your software up-to-date is like taking your car for regular maintenance check-ups. Software updates often include fixes for security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. This means that if you don’t update your software, you could be leaving yourself open to cyber attacks.
It’s also recommended to implement automatic updates whenever possible. This ensures that your software stays up-to-date without you having to manually check for updates. Automatic updates also prevent the potential of forgetting to update a certain program, which could leave it vulnerable to attacks.
Another aspect of software management is removing software that is no longer in use. Unused software can still have vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. Keeping only necessary software and removing any that is no longer needed can help minimize the attack surface and reduce the risk of a potential cyberattack.
By regularly updating software and removing unused programs, you can help keep your devices and personal information secure. Implementing automatic updates and removing old software can also save time and energy, allowing you to focus on other important tasks.
3. Regularly back up important data
It’s highly essential to practice regularly backing up your data. Having a backup means you have a copy of your data in case of data loss due to hardware failure, human error, or cyberattacks.
Nowadays there are multiple options for individuals and business owners to backup their data. For personal use, there are cloud-based storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, where you can store your files and access them from any device with an internet connection. These services also offer automatic backup features, which ensure that your files are always up-to-date and secure.
To ensure that business owners have a more secure and reliable backup system, they can opt to use the services of managed service providers such as NSN Infotech. These providers offer more specialized backup options like cloud backups, server backups, and off-site backups. With these options, business owners can have peace of mind knowing that their important data is being backed up in a secure and reliable manner.
Encryption is another important aspect of protecting sensitive data. It involves converting data into a coded language to prevent unauthorized access. This ensures that even if someone gains access to your data, they won’t be able to read it without a decryption key. For example, you can use encryption to protect your financial data or sensitive customer information like credit card numbers.
However, backing up your data and encrypting it won’t be of any use if you can’t restore it in case of a data loss. This is where testing backups regularly comes in. Regularly testing backups ensures that you can restore your data successfully when needed. It’s important to test your backups on a regular basis to ensure that your data can be restored completely and accurately.
4. Study about Phishing Scams
If you are a business owner, it’s important to make sure your employees are aware of the dangers of phishing scams. Take the time to educate them on how to identify these types of attacks, such as checking the sender’s email address, looking for suspicious links or attachments, and verifying requests for sensitive information.
To further protect your business, use spam filters to prevent phishing emails from even reaching your employees’ inboxes. This can greatly reduce the risk of someone accidentally falling for a phishing scam.
In addition, implement clear policies for reporting and handling suspected phishing emails. Encourage employees to report any suspicious emails to IT or security personnel right away, and provide guidance on what steps to take if they do receive a phishing email.
5. Strengthen your network security
Network security refers to the measures taken to protect computer networks and their data from unauthorized access, theft, and damage. The use of firewall is one of the most important steps in having a good network security. Firewalls examine incoming and outgoing network traffic and block any data that does not meet the specified security criteria.
Most devices such as computers, smartphones, and routers have built-in firewalls that can be configured to enhance security. To ensure optimal security, it’s important to set up your device’s firewall to meet your specific security needs. For example, you may want to set your firewall to block all incoming traffic except for specific types of traffic that are necessary for your device or network to function properly. Additionally, you may want to consider using a hardware firewall, which is a device that sits between your network and the internet and can provide an extra layer of security.
Another essential step is to implement secure Wi-Fi networks with strong passwords and encryption. This ensures that only authorized users can access the network and data, and that data transmitted over the network is protected from eavesdropping and interception by hackers.
When it comes to connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, it’s important to be cautious as these networks are often unsecured and can be easily hacked. To minimize the risk of unauthorized access and data theft, it’s important to avoid accessing sensitive information or conducting financial transactions when connected to a public Wi-Fi network. Additionally, it’s recommended to use a virtual private network (VPN) when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, as this can help ensure that your data is encrypted and secure.
6. Create a Disaster and Recovery Plan
Disasters can strike at any time, and having a plan in place can help you minimize the impact and recover more quickly. This is true whether you’re an individual or a business, as both can suffer from the effects of natural disasters, cyberattacks, and other unexpected events.
Creating a disaster and recovery plan is essential for both personal and business use. For individuals, this might include having an emergency kit ready with food, water, and other necessities, as well as a plan for where to go and how to communicate with loved ones in case of an emergency. For businesses, a disaster and recovery plan might include strategies for protecting data, recovering IT systems, and communicating with employees and customers during and after a disaster.
When creating a disaster and recovery plan, there are several important factors to consider. These include identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities, establishing priorities for recovery, assigning responsibilities to specific individuals or teams, and testing the plan regularly to ensure it remains effective.
In case of a disaster, it’s important to know what to do and who to contact. This might include evacuating the area, shutting down IT systems to prevent damage, and contacting emergency services or other relevant authorities. For businesses, it’s also important to communicate with employees, customers, and vendors to ensure that everyone is aware of the situation and knows what to expect.
To ensure that your disaster and recovery plan remains effective, it’s important to regularly review and update it as needed. This might include testing the plan in simulated disaster scenarios, reviewing and updating contact information, and staying up-to-date on emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
If you’re having a hard time creating a comprehensive disaster and recovery plan, or if you’re unsure of where to start, you might consider enlisting the help of a managed service provider (MSP) such as NSN Infotech. These companies specialize in providing IT services and can help you create a plan that is tailored to your specific needs, including testing and ensuring compliance with Australian laws.
