How To Stay Safe From Hackers When Working From Home?

Working remotely can leave you vulnerable to hackers not only during these times when there’s a global health crisis but even in normal times. With millions people in the United States asked to stay at home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, many of them now work at home using their phones or personal computer. Experts say that this makes a wider target for cybercriminals.

You’re less likely protected by a software that scans every file you download or every link you click when you are working at home. Furthermore, you’ll be filled with worries over the continued spread of the virus that is currently threatening to overwhelm the country’s health care system, and by all the logistical issues that is presented as you adhere to the stay at home order.

There are some basic steps you can take to mitigate the risk especially since hackers have become increasingly active these days. Zscaler researchers have noted a 20% increase each month in overall hacking reports and a rise in hacking threats using terms such as COVID-19 or coronavirus to trick some users into installing a malicious software or giving out sensitive information. Although Microsoft said that the overall number of attacks that use the pandemic is very small, it still reminded people that now is the best time to protect themselves fro hackers.

Tips For Safer Remote Working

Since you are not in the office, your firm may have hard time updating your software automatically. And you may not even know it, but IT experts whose job is to keep hackers at bay say that updating your software is one thing that you should not forget to do.

Use Two-Factor Authentication

In case hackers manage to get into your system, they may be able to access your passwords and usernames. Thankfully, there’s the two-factor authentication. It can help make accessing your system harder for cybercriminals. Two factor authentication will require you to key in a one time code or ask you for a hardware token after you enter your so you can log in to your system.

By having this feature enabled, the password that hackers have stolen from you won’t be enough to log in into your bank account or the payroll system of your company. It is a very common step but is extremely effective.

Avoid Phishing Scams

You should always be mindful any suspicious message that could come from scammers and hackers. Microsoft said that 91% of cyberattacks start with a malicious email, and this is referred to as a phishing attack. Be careful and don’t click on anything that looks suspicious.

Boost Your Personal Security

For those using a work computer at their homes, security tools like corporate anti-virus software are commonly running by default. In case you have access to a VPN, you could use it to get access to your company network, where your employer could protect you even if you’re home.

This doesn’t work for all firms, which may not be ready to have their employees use the VPN at the same time so it’s worth consulting your employer regarding this. Another option is to use a personal VPN, but that’s generally for protecting your personal privacy since these services are not meant to safeguard you from malicious apps and software.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. in Wilmington if you want more information on how you can work safely from home.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 218-9255
https://spartantec-wilmingtonnc.business.site/

Cities Served:
Wilmington, Silver Lake, Sea Breeze, Carolina Beach, Eagle Island, Leland, Wrightsboro

Data Breach: Top Reasons Why It Happens

It seems like every day, there’s something in the news about a company experiencing a data breach, putting the organization, as well as its partners and customers, at risk. If you don’t want your business to be one of them, you have to know the most common causes of data breaches and what you can do to improve your information security.

Weak Passwords, Stolen Credentials

Hacking attacks is one of the most common cause of data breaches. But the vulnerability that hackers exploit is generally a lost or weak password. Statistics showed that four out of five breaches have been classified as a hack were in part due to stolen or weak passwords. There’s an easy way to deal with this and that is to use complex passwords and to never share them to anyone.

Application Vulnerabilities

There’s no need for you to open the door if it’s already open. Hackers like to exploit poorly implemented or designed because they leave openings that they can use to access your data. One simple solution is to make sure that all your hardware and software solutions are updated and functioning properly.

Malware

There is a rising trend in the use of in-direct and direct malware. Generally speaking, malware is a malicious software that is installed unknowingly and provides access for a hacker to a system and other connected systems. Be careful when accessing websites or when opening emails especially if you think they look suspicious.

Social Engineering

Hackers don’t need to go through the hassle of finding a way to access a system if they can let others with a more legitimate claim to the data they need do it for them instead. So, if it is too good to be true then don’t go for it. Chances are, hackers are waiting on you to grant them access to your system.

Too Many Permissions

Hackers love access permissions that are way too complex. Companies that fail to keep a tight rein on who has access to what within their company are more likely to have provided the wrong permission to the wrong individual or perhaps have neglected outdated permissions, which hackers will exploit. You don’t have to complicate things. When it comes to securing your information, simple is better.

Insider Threats

When it comes to information security Wilmington, the adage keep your friends close and your enemies closer is relevant. The disgruntled contractor, rogue employee, or those people who don’t know any better have been provided with the permission to access your company data. So what’s preventing them from altering, copying, or stealing information?

You should know who you are dealing with and act right away when there is an indication of a problem and make sure that everything is covered with produced and process that are backed up with the right training.

Physical Attacks

Is your building secure or safe? Hackers do not just sit around in a bedroom located in a far away land. They’ve got high visibility jackets along with a strong line in plausible patter to allow them to work their way into your building and inside your systems and network. You have to remain vigilant and watch out for anything that looks suspicious and make sure to report it.

Incorrect Configuration, User Mistakes

Errors happen and mistakes are made. Hire the right IT expert to be in charge in making sure that your data is secured.

IT professionals at SpartanTec, Inc. in Wilmington will set in place robust and relevant procedures and processes to prevent user error, then mistakes could be kept to the bare minimum and limited only to areas where they are much less likely to result into a major data breach.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. if you want to know how to amp up your information security and safeguard your business from all kinds of online threats.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 218-9255
https://spartantec-wilmingtonnc.business.site/

Cities Served:
Wilmington, Silver Lake, Sea Breeze, Carolina Beach, Eagle Island, Leland, Wrightsboro

Cybersecurity Trends In 2020

Corporate and personal privacy keep on eroding because data breaches and cyberattacks increasingly common. During the first half of 2019, over 4.1 billion data records have been exposed in reported data breaches. The average cost of these data breaches for companies that have been affected is almost $4 million per business.

Becoming alert as the society becomes increasingly dependent on technology is the cybersecurity industry, worth $120 billion and is expected to grow to a massive $300 billion once 2024 comes. With the ages of IoT and AI are coming, you will benefit from having a home or vehicle that is connected to the internet, or every day schedule to organize and automate your lives further. However, you need to ask yourself: are there possible hidden costs of increased internet connectivity? With hackers breaching devices and networks every 39 seconds, it is crucial for firms to have necessary security measures if they want to survive and thrive as a formidable business. Now that 2019 has ended, here are five of the top security trends you need to watch out for in the new year, 2020.

Cloud-Based Security Expansion

While the world is continuing to move most of tech infrastructure into the cloud, you will see security platforms that are cloud based and security services will also follow. Over the past twenty years, cloud computing has evolved significantly and it is now commonly utilized to support important operations of various businesses. From Dropbox and other data storage services that are cloud based, to all in one CRM clouds like Salesforce, businesses and consumers have become increasingly dependent on storing essential data in these clouds.

Data Encryption Advancements

Over the past years, cyberattacks have become much more sophisticated. Plus, an increasing number of advancements in data encryption have followed. The rise in encryption advancements will help you stay ahead of current security threats including distributed ledger technologies, zero-knowledge proof, ring signature, and privacy technology. If these techs are used in combination with any of the others, not only partial or full data anonymization will be achieved but identity and data verification will also be automated.

Cyber Insurance

The world faces countless cyber threats and that is why cyber insurance has become a need for not only large firms but small to medium enterprises, too. About $11.5 million is the estimated aggregate global loss linked to cyber extortion and hacks. At the moment, the size of the market for cyber insurance is at $2.4 billion in premiums and it is expected to grow twice in size or even triple this year. However, some growth may be limited due to the restrictive conditions and high cost of coverage on insurance policies.

Passwordless Authentication

Password protection and privacy will be a major problem that will plague consumers and business today because of the rise of AOL. However, just recently, there’s another method of authentication that sought to replace passwords. The password authentication tools may include hardware tokens or one time password generators, knowledge based authentication, and biometric authentication.

About 90% of mid size firms are expected to go with passwordless authentication in over 50% of their use cases by 2022. GETID and other similar companies will help other firms process AML and KYC checks for their clients using a compliant and secure biometric product. One of the biggest point of attack for hacking is password and that is why it is obvious for many businesses to prioritize identification through other means.

Cybersecurity Talent

Back in 2017, the World Economic Forum said there was as shortage of people who are trained in cybersecurity and it has not stopped increasing ever since. Unfilled cybersecurity jobs will continue to rise up to 3.5 million globally by 2021, which will be an increase of 350% from 2014. In the United States alone, there are 1 million people working on cybersecurity but there are around 500,000 positions that are still left unfilled. Since the list of security certifications and security training firms are still growing, finding work in this sector is almost certain if you are qualified.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. in Wilmington now and let our team set up the most effective strategies to improve and bolster your cybersecurity in 2020.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 218-9255

https://spartantec-wilmingtonnc.business.site/

Cities Served:
Wilmington, Silver Lake, Sea Breeze, Carolina Beach, Eagle Island, Leland, Wrightsboro