There is a common misconception that you have to be a tech expert to understand cybersecurity. That is simply not true. There is a lot that you can be doing to protect your personal computer and your entire business with little to no knowledge of cybersecurity.

Everyone is a Target

Cybersecurity threats affect everyone. You might think that your digital footprint is small, or that your data isn’t that important, but everyone is a potential target. You could be poor or have a bad credit score, but identity theft should still be a concern.

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Cyber Criminals and Identity Thieves generally follow a practice of cast a wide net to catch a few fish. They don’t care what fish they catch. They are only looking to catch one or two people that are gullible or vulnerable enough to attack.

If you happen to be the fish that they catch, they could potentially leave you with even worse credit, in more debt, and little to no way to work your way out of it. In some cases, you might not even know that you are facing a cybersecurity problem until it’s too late.

Throwing Money at the Problem

Despite how widespread the problem is, there isn’t really any foolproof protection against cybersecurity threats. Your best option is to tread carefully and prepare for the worst.

However, this is not always an issue that you can throw money at to make it go away. It is estimated that people will spend $100 billion globally on IT Security. Throwing money at the problem hasn’t seemed to protect even data giants from cybersecurity threats though.

In fact, your best defense against cybersecurity threats is to know exactly what threats you could be facing and protect yourself from those threats. Start by performing a data security audit and determine your weak points. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

Data Security Audit

The biggest threat you face as an individual isn’t being targeted by an attack but leaving yourself vulnerable to an attack. Use the information below to determine if you are easy picking for a cyber-attack.

Is Cybersecurity a Top Priority?

Is cybersecurity a top priority for you when making purchases online? Do you check that payment forms are secure before inputting your financial information or passwords? Are you cautious when clicking links in emails? Do you regularly update the security settings on your social media?

If cybersecurity isn’t a top priority, then you are leaving yourself vulnerable. Learn a few key security tips to keep yourself and your data safe online.

Review these articles for more help:

• How to Protect Your Phone from Viruses and Phishing
• Internet Privacy Practices for Businesses
• Don’t Be Caught By Phishing
• The Internet is like Dungeons and Dragons

How Secure is Your Password?

Do you know how long it has been since you last changed your password? How secure is that password? Does anyone else know what your password is? Do you use the same password for more than one website?

Password security is vital to your online security. A strong password can protect you against most common cyber-attacks. However, changing your password too often can lead to less secure passwords, so avoid changing your password too often.  

Be conscious of your password security by reading the following articles:

• What’s Your Password?
• Keep Your Passwords Safe

What is at stake?

While the news only reports data breaches at large companies, small businesses are at a greater risk. In fact, 60% of cyber-attacks were targeted at small and medium businesses in 2014 alone. Meaning, it’s not the amount of data you have at risk, but how easy it is to access the data.

Small businesses typically have less cyber security protocols in place leaving them significantly easier and cheaper to target. The best way to protect your business is to ensure that it is harder to attack you than the next business.

Like running away from a bear, you don’t have to be fastest, just faster than the other person.  There’s no need to buy expensive subscriptions for data protection. You need just enough to protect yourself paired with a solid foundation of security awareness at your company.

How Do You Get Started with Cybersecurity Awareness?

Implementing cyber security protocol into your business may seem overwhelming. That’s why we aim to make it as easy as possible for you. Use the following tips to get started.

Talk About Cybersecurity.

Remember, your best defense is layers of security that starts with awareness. The best way to get started with cybersecurity is to talk about it.

• Send a company-wide email around informing your employees about password security.
• Encourage them to ensure that their passwords are strong and unique for every website.
• Consider sending them one or more of the password security articles that Techno Goober provides.
• Remind your employees regularly to update their security settings on social media, email, and other accounts.
• Educate your employees about phishing scams including how to recognize them, how to report them, and how to protect yourself.

You can also start by creating a data protection policy for your employees. This ensures that your company properly stores and protects all files or information they use. Some companies have shared drives or cloud storage that they use to backup important documents. Ensure that you secure your drives and that your employees use them properly.

Spend a Little Money

You can outsource your security needs for relatively low costs. Techno Goober offers several one-time and monthly data back-up and anti-virus protection solutions. You can also pay for subscriptions to cloud-based storage for added protection for your files.

For low monthly or annual fees, you can protect your personal and business devices against many cyber threats every day. Contact our Tech Team to discuss signing up for a monthly managed service with Techno Goober. Call (302) 645-7177 or contact us online to get started.

Keeping Talking About It

The Best Cyber Security requires ongoing management and awareness. You should be aware of our cybersecurity needs every time you go online. Monitor your files. Keep an eye on your credit score and finances. Double check your password security. Lastly, stay up to date! Keep learning about what you can do to protect yourself and your business from small and large cybersecurity threats.