How to improve your Cyber Security

Cyber security covers everything that relates to protecting your sensitive data, personal information, protected health information, intellectual property, data and industry information systems from theft and damage attempted by criminals. You can improve your cyber security with these simple steps.

Be Careful Where You Click

Don’t just click on links for the sake of it because it can have consequences. Malicious links can do damage in several different ways, so be sure to inspect links and ensure they’re from trusted senders before clicking.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Always be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye on your devices. If you are away from your computer, lock it. Never leave sensitive or confidential items at your desk, like post-it notes with your password or USB drives.

Stick to Your Own Devices

If possible, try limit using another user’s device when you’re away from your own device. Never share your credentials with others, and never give anyone remote access to your computer.

Update, Update, Update.

Software updates can be annoying, but you can consider them the lesser of two evils when weighing up rebooting your device versus putting yourself at risk for malware and other types of computer infection.

Back Up Your Data

Spiteful threats and hackers don’t always want to steal your data, but sometimes the end-goal is to encrypt or erase it. There should be no excuse not to have a backup of important data. It does not cost much for storage so back up your information on the cloud and at a physical location.

Connect Securely

Unsecured connections may be tempting to connect to when your device is low on data but sometimes this connection may not be worth it. If possible, only connect on private, secure networks.

Secure Your Mobile Device

Secure your presence on your mobile device by using strong passwords and biometric features. Turn off your Bluetooth, download off the internet with extreme caution and don’t automatically connect to any public Wi-Fi.

Keep Your Digital Footprint in Check

Can you remember every site where you have opened online accounts and what information is stored on them, like credit card numbers for easier payments? It’s important to keep track of your digital footprint, including social media, and to delete accounts you’re not using, while ensuring you set strong passwords and change them regularly.

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These steps can help protect your online information but being slack with your cyber security can lead to someone hacking into your personal or business online information with disastrous consequences. At CC&A we offer Cyber liability insurance that covers your company’s liability for data breaches in which sensitive customer information, such as credit card numbers and other private information, is accessed by unauthorised individuals. The policy covers your direct losses or the compensation you must pay to a third party. For assistance with cyber liability insurance, give us a call on: 031 716 6000 (KZN) or 011 463 0085 (GP).