Reduce Your Hygiene Risk

In today’s digital age, cyber security is more important than ever. From personal information to financial data, we store much sensitive information online. However, many people need to pay more attention to their cyber security hygiene, leaving themselves vulnerable to cyber attacks. This guide will provide tips and tools to reduce cyber security risks and protect valuable data.

What is good cyber security hygiene?

Cyber hygiene is compared to personal hygiene.
Cyber hygiene practices can keep data safe and well-protected if an individual uses certain personal hygiene practices to maintain good health and well-being. In turn, this aids in maintaining correctly functioning devices by protecting them from outside attacks, such as malware, which can hinder the functionality and performance of the devices. Cyber hygiene relates to users’ practices and precautions to keep sensitive data organized, safe, and secure from theft and outside attacks.

How Often Do You Check Your Organization Hygiene Risks?

How often are you checking your organization’s cyber hygiene?
Are you training your employees to recognize sophisticated risks?
Are you training your IT team and enhancing their IT knowledge?
Are you conducting monthly, quarterly, six-month, or yearly cyber audits?
Are you remediating vulnerabilities from past audits?

Remember, it is essential to block the paths of hackers. If you are not doing the things above, you are leaving the doors open for hackers to come in.

Understand the Threat Landscape.

Before you can effectively reduce your cyber security risk, it’s essential to understand the threat landscape. Cyber threats come in many forms, including malware, phishing attacks, and social engineering. In addition, hackers and cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, so staying current on the latest threats and vulnerabilities is crucial. Keep an eye on industry news and subscribe to security alerts to stay informed.

Implement Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication.

Implementing strong passwords and multi-factor authentication is one of the most basic and effective ways to reduce your cyber security hygiene risk. Strong passwords should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information like your name or birthdate. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification form, such as a code sent to your phone and your password. Many online services now offer this feature, so enable it wherever possible.

Keep Your Software and Systems Up to Date.

Another vital step in reducing your cyber security hygiene risk is to keep your software and systems up-to-date. This includes operating systems, antivirus software, firewalls, and other security tools you may use. Updates often include necessary security patches and bug fixes that can help prevent cyber attacks. Set your devices to automatically update whenever possible, and check for updates regularly if automatic updates are unavailable.

Use Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software.

One of the most important steps to reduce your cyber security hygiene risk is to use antivirus and anti-malware software. These programs can help detect and remove malicious software that could compromise your data and systems. Be sure to choose a reputable program and update it regularly to ensure it is effective against the latest threats. Additionally, consider using a firewall to add a layer of protection to your network.

Train Your Employees on Cyber Security Best Practices.

Your employees are often the first line of defense against cyber attacks, so training them on best practices for cyber security is essential. This can include teaching them how to identify phishing emails, create strong passwords, and avoid downloading or installing suspicious software. Regular training sessions help keep your employees informed and vigilant, reducing the risk of a successful cyber attack.

Let us help your organization with your cyber hygiene today!

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