Cyber Security is Increasingly Important: Here’s What You Need to Know

As a business owner you probably have some awareness when it comes to what cyber security entails by now. With that said, it can be confusing for some, so we’d like to dive into some basic knowledge to ensure you know exactly what the term “cyber security” entails, and how to protect yourself from it using specific, proven mechanisms.

So, what does cyber security refer to? In summary, it is about keeping electronic devices safe and secured, including computers and smartphones, as well as networks and software programs from being attacked electronically. These attacks usually have the goal of altering, accessing or destroying certain types of data; usually data that’s considered confidential. Some attacks can even occur for the sole purpose of gaining money; this can impact victims while they are on their day to day devices which can cause some serious problems for businesses, as the majority rely on cell phones, laptops, and computer-based processes to operate.

A Human Component

Cyber-security requires more than one component to truly be successful. While maintaining security software and network hardware is wise, a cyber security protocol also depends on smart usage and behavior from users operating the devices. What might this include? For starters, you’ll want to check that every password you’re creating is considered strong and difficult to guess. You’ll also want to stay away from any website that looks questionable and is not secured. Double check a website for its credibility prior to providing any personal details such as your address or credit card information.

Email is another subject where user discretion is highly recommended. It is very possible for networks and devices to experience infection through malicious software, by literally opening an email/attachment. It can happen that quickly. Take a good look at the sender and their email address to confirm it’s familiar or legitimate, and refrain from opening anything from an email source that raises some red flags.  To learn more about how to identify suspicious emails, and to test your ability, take a look at Cisco’s phishing quiz.

Forms of a Cyber Attack

Hackers have strategic methods in place to gain your sensitive information. A reliable and strong cyber security protocol will work to defend against the majority of them. While there are many different mechanisms out there, here is a brief summary of the most commonly used;

• Phishing – Chances are, you’ve probably received an email in the past that seemed to be from a safe source but ended up not being the case. This is what phishing describes; emails that come from malicious senders posing as trustworthy senders with the intention of fooling the user into providing sensitive information such as credit card or banking information.
• Malware – Malware is software that is programmed to retrieve information on your device without permission. There are several forms of malware that all operate uniquely from one another.
• Ransomware – This is a more alarming form of cyber-attack. Ransomware essentially blocks access to information on a computer system or network and presents the user with a screen requesting payment for the release of this protected data.

Cyber security is more crucial today than ever before. Why? As most businesses make the switch to electronic data storage, as well as operating electronically as a whole, more and more information is being shared and stored this way. Without the proper security measures in place, this can invite in potential trouble; hackers gaining confidential details that should be kept private. Ensuring you are protected from such threats should be a top priority. When you make the decision to maintain a strong cyber security protocol and build relationships with partners you can rely on to keep your information safe and secure, you are taking the necessary steps towards cyber security.

If your business is looking for a partner to protect your data including your old hard drives, Abraham Shredding will safely destroy your hard drives so information is no longer retrievable. Remember that information security goes beyond shredding your documents.

Stay safe online and implement the necessary security and software to remain protected from hackers. What about those old hard drives you have stored away in your supplies closet? Allow us to destroy them responsibly so you don’t have to worry about the status of your security or privacy. Taking these steps is crucial in remaining protected from outside threats!

To learn about our document shredding and hard drive destruction services, talk to our expert team today. Call 262-877-8878