In today's digital age, cyber security has become a major concern for individuals and organisations alike. The increasing number of online threats and data breaches requires the adoption of robust security measures to protect sensitive information. Whether you're an average internet user or a business owner, it's crucial to practice good cyber security habits to ensure your online safety. We will explore some essential cyber security best practices that can help you stay safe online.
One of the most fundamental steps in maintaining cyber security is to use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts. Avoid common or easily guessable passwords. As a rule, passwords should:
• be unique — used for one account only, not reused across many accounts
• be long and strong. A passphrase made up of four or more words is often better than a password (and easier to remember)
• not be based on personal information. For example, don’t use your pet’s name as your password. Personal information like that is easy to find online. It’s often the first thing an attacker will use when trying to access someone’s account
Instead, create long and strong passwords using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. It's also important to use a different password for each account to prevent a chain reaction in the case one account gets compromised.
Consider employing a reputable password manager tool to securely store and generate passwords for you. These tools ensure the encryption of your passwords, making it easier to manage multiple accounts without sacrificing security.
Adding an extra layer of security to your accounts through multi-factor authentication can significantly enhance your online safety. MFA requires you to provide a second and sometime a third piece of information, usually a unique code sent to your smartphone or generated by an authentication app, in addition to your password. This ensures that even if your password gets exposed, unauthorised individuals won't be able to access your accounts without the second factor. This follows the security principal of something you know (password) and something you have (one-time password via smart phone).
Whenever possible, enable MFA on your accounts, including email, social media, and banking platforms. It adds an additional barrier for cybercriminals and minimises the risk of unauthorised access.
Keeping your software and devices up to date is essential for maintaining a secure online environment. Software updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities identified by developers. Ignoring these updates may leave your system exposed to known threats that hackers can exploit.
Enable automatic updates for your operating system, web browsers, antivirus software, and other applications. Regularly updating your devices, including smartphones, computers and tablets, ensures that you have the latest security features and protections against emerging threats.
Email continues to be a popular medium for cyber-attacks, including phishing scams and malware. Exercise caution when opening email attachments or clicking on links, especially if they come from unknown or suspicious sources. Look for red flags such as poor grammar, misspellings, or unusual requests in emails, as these are often indicators of phishing attempts.
Verify the legitimacy of an email by contacting the sender directly through a known and trusted method such as via the phone. Avoid downloading attachments or clicking on links unless you are confident about their authenticity. Be particularly wary of emails that urge you to take immediate action or provide sensitive information.
Social media platforms have become a considerable part of our lives, but they can also be a potential security risk. Be mindful of the information you share on social media and adjust your privacy settings to limit who can see your posts and personal details. Oversharing personal information can make you an easy target for cybercriminals looking to gather data for identity theft or social engineering attacks.
Avoid accepting friend requests from unfamiliar individuals and be cautious when clicking on links shared through social media platforms. Hackers may exploit your trust or curiosity to trick you into downloading malware or disclosing further information.
With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, it's essential to prioritise cyber security in your online activities. By following these best practices, such as using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, keeping your software up to date, exercising caution with email.
Casey is a Cyber Security Analyst with Diligence. He combines years of experience in IT System Administration roles with working in secure environments like New Zealand Police. Casey is passionate about working in the cyber security industry and is continually growing his skills and experience.
