Technology advancements have helped us improve our security and safety – think security cameras. It has helped us increase our productivity – think smartphones.
However, at times we technology also presents to us some potential threats that we need to deal with. For instance, in offices as well as households, we have wireless networks connecting all major electronic devices. This can potentially bring about a security concern – as hackers can aim to attack your system or network and steal your confidential information.
How Severe Is The Threat?
According to a report by Javelin Strategy and Research, the cost of recovering from such security damage for major organizations can be as high as $7 Million. And this is just the economic loss – there is always the damage done to brand image and reputation that is far more disastrous.
How Can You Deal With It?
So, how do you protect devices from the prying eyes of the hackers?
Here are some of the ways in which you can secure your home or office system and network.
- Securing your system with Passwords
It may seem unnecessary for having passwords and encrypted system altogether, but this has been among one of the main reasons why hackers are easily able to attack to the systems because of weak password and accessibility to access points.
All the wireless networks and secretive information should be well encrypted with unique username and passwords making it difficult for the hackers to break into the system. Using a WPA2 encryption is more secure way than any other encryption protocol as it is not easily hacked into.
- Safe and Secure Wireless Router
The wireless router allows multiple users to use the internet at the same time, but if that is kept wide open, it can be dangerous. Any Individual with malicious intention can use your internet for free, and can even steal your valuable information or may use for some cyber crime. So it is always advised to change the SSID provided by the service network and use firewall.
- Active checking of the system
This majorly applies for the office users, as there may be some of the malicious insiders, employees from the company who may hack into the systems. It is comparatively easy for the employees to steal and hack the accounts, as they are well aware of the system and networks. Such hackers are dangerous for the organization. So a thorough screening of the employees is advised. Also, the important files should be admin encrypted so nobody can use it whenever required.
- Encrypt the whole disk
This is especially true for Laptop users, as such devices can be stolen easily. One can even lose it, and there may be some of the important files on the laptop which can be accessible by the potential hacker or stealer.
So it is a better idea to protect your laptops or systems with whole disk encryption. They are not very costly but gives protection to your valuable information.
- Updated security software
Always make sure to update the operating system, web browser and most importantly security software. They prove good against any of the viruses or malware. Make sure to scan any of the USBs and other external devices with your software security scan to guard against any of the threats. It is important to keep the software updated.
- Keeping your in-house security out of reach
Most offices as well as households have been using CCTV cameras to keep their home or office secure and are attached to the home or office network to view them anytime and anywhere. But this can be dangerous at times.
If the CCTV hooked up with the system is not encrypted strongly than hackers can easily view your updates of home or office and steal prime information. Hackers could get all the insights of your office and household and can make a right move at the right time.
So it is very important to keep it secure with username and password which may not be guessed. You can have an alarm and security features if any unknown device hacks into it to keep your system safe.
- Beware of Spoofing and Phishing
Hackers know how and when to break into the system. They may attract the home mobile users or office desktop users by asking them to download or install any software to speed up the performance of the system. Upon downloading, all lucrative information can be stolen by them.
Do not register on any untrusted websites asking for personal details or installing any such software. Also avoid opening unknown email attachments as they may have a virus, worms or Trojans. These emails can be sent from trusted sources – so think before clicking.
Above are some of the ways how you can keep your system and network secure but it is recommended to change your password regularly so it cannot be hacked upon easily. Never loosely leave any important files or documents open on a shared network especially as it can be viewed and edited by anybody easily.
[su_box title=”About Simon Parker” style=”noise” box_color=”#336588″][short_info id=’99953′ desc=”true” all=”false”][/su_box]
About the Author
The opinions expressed in this post belongs to the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Information Security Buzz.
