Protect Your Business: Simple Steps to Stay Safe Online
Cybersecurity isn’t just for IT professionals. Every employee plays an important role in keeping your business safe. Criminals are clever, and they target anyone with access to company data. Understanding these basic cybersecurity practices can make all the difference.
Recognize the Red Flags: Phishing and Scams
According to Deloitte, 91% of all cyber attacks begin with a phishing email.
Consider a typical scenario: an employee receives an email requesting sensitive financial information. The email may appear legitimate, but it demands immediate action or requires you to click a specific link. This scam is a classic phishing attempt where attackers manipulate individuals into disclosing sensitive information or inadvertently installing harmful software, such as viruses, worms, adware, or ransomware.
How do you equip your team to identify these threats? Begin with the sender’s email address. Discrepancies, such as misspellings or unfamiliar domains, are immediate red flags. Does the email match the company it claims to be from?
Urgency is another indicator. Scammers create a sense of panic to bypass critical thinking. They may say your account will be suspended if you don’t act immediately. Instruct your employees to slow down and verify any urgent request.
Regarding links within emails, the practice is simple: do not click. Hover the cursor to reveal the actual URL. If it deviates from the displayed text, disregard the link. Encourage direct navigation to websites by typing the address into the browser.
Reiterate the policy of never transmitting passwords or important data via email. As a reminder, Nextep will never ask you to send sensitive information in an unsecured email, including social security numbers, bank information, dates of birth, or personal health data. We use an encryption service.
Strengthen Your Digital Defenses: Practical Steps
Beyond spotting scams, you can take practical steps to protect your data.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Avoid easily guessed passwords. Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Create long passwords that are at least 14 characters long; the longer, the better. A password manager like Okta can help you create and store complex passwords.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): This adds an extra layer of security. Even if someone gets your password, they’ll need a second form of verification, like a code from your phone.
- Keep software updated: Software updates often include security patches. Install them promptly. Be sure, though, to only install official updates from the original software vendor. A frequent tactic is to present a similar-looking “Install Security Updates NOW!” window that actually links to a malicious download on an attacker’s website.
- Be cautious on public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing sensitive data on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Use a VPN to encrypt your connection, or use the mobile hotspot on your smartphone.
- Report suspicious activity: If you see something suspicious, immediately report it to your IT department.
IBM research found that the average cost of a simple data breach in 2024 was $4.8 million. This statistic is a stark reminder of the risks. Every employee’s vigilance is essential.
Read more about what Nextep does to protect your data:
