Over the years, companies and individuals have become the victims of hacking scandals. Although you may not think it, even large companies such as Sony have had to fight their way out of cyber security issues. Unfortunately, there are no prevention methods to stop this activity from occurring, however, you can aim to prevent yourself from such attacks occurring on your devices. 

Hacking attacks can have detrimental effects on businesses, especially if important data and client information is stolen. Hacking is much easier than you may anticipate and small firms especially should be on their guard. The thousands of pounds spent on restoring data could be devastating.

How to prevent getting hacked online:

1. Beware of public Wi-Fi

Individuals and businesses worldwide link up to public Wi-Fi, as it is easily accessible and usually free. What you may not know is that some Wi-Fi networks are fake and once you have connected up, hackers can scan all of your data via your device. One of the best ways of monitoring these hacking attempts is by asking a staff member for the official Wi-Fi name to avoid confusion.

2. Passwords

It would be worth regularly changing your passwords. This would be even more relevant if you have already suffered a hacking attempt. Hackers will try numerous times to get into your system, therefore opt to change them as often as you can. Ensure that they are strong by using special characters, numbers and capital letters, so they cannot be easily guessed. You should never write passwords down on paper, as they could get lost or end up in the wrong hands.

3. Update software

Make sure you keep up to date with all software updates, so your devices have all of the necessary security features. Failure to do so could make your devices weak and therefore open to threats. Delaying updates means that there will be a window for hackers to try their tactics. Although software updates may costs businesses money, it is an important investment for long-term security. 

4. Download from reputable sites

If your company downloads programmes for their business needs, it is essential that these applications and downloads come from reputable websites. If there isn’t a padlock symbol to the left of the URL, you should avoid this site at all costs. Mobile applications are usually always safe to download, as devices feature built-in security systems to prevent hacking attempts. If this option has been disabled on your mobile, hackers are free to roam through your device.

5. Install anti-virus software

Anti-virus software prevents potentially harmful malware or hackers attacking your system. It instantly recognises suspicious activity and flags it up so that it can be easily removed. Ensure that all Bluetooth connections and firewall programmes only allow trusted connections.

6. Be suspicious of emails

Be on your guard for any emails which don’t look genuine. Emailing allows hackers to send across any type of file, which may contain suspicious malware - therefore be aware not to click on any strange links. Phishing scams are a well-known form of hacking, which sends victims seemingly innocent emails, leading to fake websites. These sites may ask for personal information, which could lead to identity theft.

7. Never open attachments

Try not to open any attachments you aren’t sure of unless you know exactly where they have come from. Attachments may contain suspicious malware which then implants these security threats within your device. If an attachment doesn’t look familiar to you or is located in a strange folder within your device, delete it immediately.

8. Two-step verification

If you have shared computers within your workplace, there is often the need to enter passwords to log onto the system. Many websites and systems are now using two-step authentication, meaning that two forms of password checks are required. Many systems now send codes through text, which must be entered before the password.

9. Don’t always trust the Cloud

Although many people are now using the cloud to store their data, it is taken for granted that this platform is immune to security hacking. Although there have been debates as to whether it is free from hacking attempts, you are still giving your private data to an external source. Anything that is sent over the internet has a risk of being published elsewhere or stolen, so keep in mind the types of files you are hoping to store online. This, of course, doesn’t mean that you should stop using the Cloud, but be extra cautious of the risks that could occur if private files get into the wrong hands.

If you would like any further information on hacking crimes and cyber security and how you can stay safe, please contact us at www.1stcalldetectives.com. We have a new encryption certificate for customer security and privacy. We believe that right to privacy is of high importance. To take a read of many more of our blog posts, visit: https://www.1stcalldetectives.com/blog/index.php.