Online activity is at an all-time high now, where confidential business data and our personal information are available and potentially at risk. Various activities, such as online shopping, in particular, have left our details out there and in danger of being stolen should they fall into the hands of the wrong person. There have been many security tips which have been provided to users to ensure that they are not left as victims to cyber-attacks, and we’ll be providing you with a few in this blog. 

Anti-Malware software

Ensuring your systems are protected with anti-malware software is strongly recommended. There are purchasable as well as free software programs that can give your system basic protection against potential cyber-attacks. Running regular scans on your system and removing identified threats accordingly will keep your system running smoothly and leave you protected against potential attacks. 

Monitoring online accounts 

With most of our data being online, it is bound to be accessible via an account. This could apply particularly to accounts that store bank details, such as an online retailer or even your bank. Regularly monitoring your online accounts for suspicious activity will allow you to take action in good time against potential hacking. Banks will always notify you should any suspicious action take place with your account, however, you can notify them if you see anything unusual taking place. This also applies strongly to bank details, which are stored under online retail websites. 

Use complex passwords

Having a password is one thing, but making sure the password isn’t easy to guess is another. Using a complex password, usually including numbers, letters, and symbols, is a good way to ensure your data is well protected. It is strongly recommended that any devices that hold confidential data are secured with strong passwords. 

Archive or delete data that is no longer needed

This may not be an obvious one, but sometimes, without noticing, we leave information out in the open that we may deem as unimportant. However, this information, if left in the wrong hands, could cause many problems. It could be details such as an address, bank statements, or bills. Whether online or offline, disposing of this information securely is very important. 

Use secure WiFi networks

Making sure your WiFi network is secure is very important. Hackers will target networks that are unprotected and as a result, can steal important information. With the increase of free WiFi in public places like Café’s and airports, this is a high possibility. If you must use an unprotected Wi-Fi network, be sure that HTTPS is enabled for any sites you visit – a good habit for all online activity.

These are just a few of the steps you can take to ensure you’re devices and, more importantly, your data is left secure.