Down to Earth Tips to Keep Your Data Safe From Cyber-Attacks
With the increase of cloud computing and Web technologies development, data is becoming more and more vulnerable. It’s common to think that big corporations and banks are exposed to hackers’ attacks and data leakage. But small- and medium-sized companies can be hacked easily too. Although there are a lot of technologies to ensure data safety, we often have no clue about simple things like how not to get hacked. So how can you prevent data loss? Read on to learn about the main dangers and basic techniques of improving your Internet and mobile apps’ security.
The different types of computer network attacks
A computer network attack or a cyber attack is the intentional usage of computer systems and networks by means of malicious code. The aim is to change computer code or its logic to get access to its data for the sake of illegal usage.
Big companies and individual users have equal chances of falling victim to a cyber attack. For a better understanding of network computer attacks, let’s look at the main types.
Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) — Such types of attacks have several stages to hide their identification and are used to hack highly secure data.
DDoS attacks — These are usually made to overload a company’s Web server to slow down its workflow or crash the server completely. When you see any kind of captcha like choosing pictures or pressing a button to prove that you are not a robot, it is one way to avoid such attacks.
Malicious software — This software is created to access and damage a computer without anyone knowing it. It can be worms, viruses and any kind of malicious code that penetrates a computer. The best way to protect yourself is to be careful with what kind of websites you visit and what software you download, including suspicious e-mails with attachments.
Password attacks — These are used to get or break other users’ passwords. Password cracking is a process when a hacker tries to select a password manually and reviews it against its cryptographic hash. The first piece of advice here is, don’t use passwords that are easy to remember or guess. Also, use capital letters and symbols. Very obvious but pretty effective.
Phishing — This is one of the most common types of computer network attacks today. Its aim is to collect users’ personal data, like credit card information. It’s done by means of hacking e-mails or even through searching social networks. Never post any financial information online and be careful when e-mailing personal data.
What are the implications of computer network attacks?
If you or an employee of your company has fallen victim to a cyber-attack, the following things could happen:
Financial losses — Losing money from cards or bank accounts is a very real consequence And, in this case, losing your own money is not as painful as your clients’. Also, data recovery and the expenses for improvements to security may be very high too.
Loss of face — This can be even worse than losing money. If your commercial software is contaminated, it will consequently lower your clients’ confidence and harm your reputation.
Loss of time — This is another issue you must take into account, because an investigation, data recovery, and other activities can take up to three months.
Blackmailing, spamming and abusing — Any of these may also happen, and cause all of the above three, making you sleep-deprived for many nights.
What middle sized companies need to know to protect their data
In this part of our article, we have prepared some basic info you should know about how to effectively enhance security and lower the risk of cyber attacks and data leakages in your company.
1. Install Antivirus software
This is the easiest way to defend both your personal and your company’s data. There is a huge number of anti-virus programs to choose from, both free and paid. According to Statista data, the top five popular products for Windows in 2016 were Avast, ESET, Malwarebyte, McAfee and Avira.
2. Use a Firewall
This is also a type of software that defends your data, but it is different from AVs. Antivirus programs are designed to detect malicious software, computer viruses and already infected, modified files, as well as to prevent infection of the operating system and other files. The firewall is an additional security layer which blocks unwanted traffic and prevents unauthorized access to the operating system and files.
3. Backup data
Backup your data regularly. If a cyber-attack has already happened, this will help you recover, especially in case of some data loss.
4. Implement HTTPS encryption
This technology will help your company keep financial data and confidential information about clients and employees safe. “S” means that the communication between the browser and a website is encrypted. Also, the websites which use HTTPS encryption have higher conversion rates comparing to ones without certificates of safety.
5. Cloud security solutions
More enterprises are choosing to be in the cloud. If you already use some cloud services for your company, there are advanced security solutions for data, applications and more to make you feel very safe.
6. Card Verification Value usage in payments
CVV is a three- or four-digit number that is placed on a bank card. Asking for it alongside with the card’s password for payments, you make sure that the person who has access to the card physically makes the transaction.
7. Remember Wi-Fi security
Wi-Fi security is available to everybody. Such technologies as firewalls, VPNs and access controllers can prevent cyber attacks and data leakage via Wi-Fi connection.
8. Consider mobile app security
If your company wants to propose mobile apps to its users, take care of its security the same as you care of UX/UI and the functionality.
Ready-to-use cyber safety solutions for small and middle-sized companies
After considering some basic security tips, let’s look at ready-to-use safety solutions.
Cloudflare — A security software with prices and plans for different needs. Depending on the price, it protects against various attacks, including DDoS and SQL injections. This tool automatically identifies cyber-attacks, blocks them and creates reports. It also analyzes risks and estimates users by various factors, like their IP address, reputation and other things. The prices start from $20 for individual usage and from $200 for businesses.
Lookout Mobile Security — Was created for business data protection from network attacks on mobile phones and tablets for iOS and Android. This tool defends individual users and companies from malicious software and data leakage and indicates and blocks a mobile attack before it happens. It has free and extended paid plans as well.
Comodo — A security tool developed to make your data safe for individuals and corporate business. Comodo One is a platform for monitoring and managing remote employees, while SecureBox is intended to protect applications. Depending on the plan, free or paid anti-viruses can be used, firewalls, SSL protocols and much more.
StaySafeOnline.org — Was created with the support of National Cyber Security Alliance. Its main aim is to educate different social groups of people, like teenagers, parents, and entrepreneurs, on how to stay secure online, prevent personal data theft and what should be the legal steps if a cyber attack has happened.
It may be surprising that Random.org is on this list, but we strongly recommend it as a free tool to create complicated passwords up to 24 symbols long instead of passwords like “Annettebeautiful123”.
Safety culture is a must nowadays
There are terabytes of data on the web today and many opportunities to manipulate it. We must teach ourselves how to prevent cyber attacks and teach our employees how to stay safe. Even if you are not connected with software development, always follow these basic rules:
- Create complicated passwords;
- Don’t share your financial data online;
- Use antivirus Software and backup data
- Secure your Wi-Fi connection with a firewall
Olga Anoshyna is a copywriter at Cleveroad, a Web and mobile apps development company from Ukraine, offering its services worldwide. If you have any questions about security or any other issues, contact our managers and get a free consultation. We are always ready to help.
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