Introduction
In this article, we will see 10 ways to prevent cyber attacks in 2023.
Did you know that the global cost of cyber attacks is growing with each passing year? We need to secure our devices and networks against cybercriminals more than ever. Individuals and businesses must proactively maintain their cybersecurity because cyberattacks not only cost you millions but also damage the reputation of your businesses.
What are Cyber Attacks?
A cyber attack is an action performed by cybercriminals to steal data, disable your computers, harm your network, etc. The attack is performed by an individual or group of individuals using various techniques and tactics.
The attacker will first try to find the weaknesses or vulnerabilities in a computer system or on a network and then perform cyberattacks. Those who are involved in cyberattacks are usually called hackers, bad actors, threat actors, etc.
10 Ways to Prevent Cyber Attacks
Follow the below-mentioned 10 steps to prevent cyberattacks.
1. Keep your software up to date
Never avoid any software updates, as they are important to address the issue of cyberattacks. Often, cyber attacks take place because the software or systems are out of date, which leads a cyber criminal to exploit the weaknesses and gain access to your computer or network.
It is the top priority of any business to make sure that applications, operating systems, and network devices are always up-to-date to prevent cyberattacks.
2. Avoid opening suspicious emails
It is highly advisable not to click on any suspicious email links, even if you know the sender. Just hovering over the link will show you the destination URL, which can look genuine.
A phishing attack is one of the most common methods of attack that you might have come across, where bad actors send you a genuine-looking email with a link that could redirect you to the malicious website. Always open the website from the search engine rather than clicking on the link that can lead to a phishing attack.
3. Use antivirus and firewall protection
Antivirus software is designed to protect your computer system against malicious software. The antivirus program works in the background to protect your computer from malware, viruses, worms, trojans, etc. while you are browsing the web or downloading any software.
A firewall is a first line of defense against bad actors; it prevents unauthorized access to your computers or network. A firewall will monitor your network traffic to identify any suspicious activity that could compromise your computer or network.
4. Backup your important data
Data is the most important asset of any company, and protecting that data is the company’s top priority. It is very important to make sure that business-critical data is backed up on a regular basis to prevent serious downtime in the event of a cyber attack.
It is best practice to test your backup after every successful full backup.
5. Use two factor or multifactor authentication
Two-factor or multifactor authentication adds an extra layer of security against cyberattacks. In your login process, once you enter your username and password, you will be prompted to enter a code sent via text message or email.
Multifactor authentication prevents bad actors from gaining access to your account, and it is one of the best ways to protect your online accounts, especially your bank account, from cyber criminals.
6. Choose strong and unique passwords
Always use a strong password, as it is the most effective way to protect data against cyberattacks. Weak passwords are the friends of hackers; they help them gain access to your computer. Having the same password for every account can be dangerous because once bad actors figure out your password, they can enter your computer system and have access to everything.
If you find it difficult to manage your multiple accounts, you can also use a password manager. It is recommended to use a twelve-character-long password with a combination of lower case letters, upper case letters, special characters, and symbols.
7. Don’t use public WiFi without a VPN
Now a days, public Wifi is easily available at shopping malls, coffee shops, airports, and other public places in almost every city around the world. HTTPS has made public WiFi much more secure. When using public Wifi, you need to make sure you do not browse any website that doesn’t use HTTPS, which could lead to the man in the middle attack.
VPN add an extra layer of security to your device by encrypting all the data sent from your device to the server, keeping everything safe and secure while using public Wifi.
8. Stop sharing everything online
Social media has been the most powerful tool of communication for personal and professional use, with apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
Most people use social media to connect with family and friends and with professionals in business as well, but you should always make sure not to share sensitive information such as identity cards, documents, credit card details, pay slips, financial information, and confidential information that could lead to social engineering attacks.
9. Disable Bluetooth when you don’t need it
Bluetooth is one of the most popular ways to connect with electronic devices such as wireless speakers, headphones, keyboards, mice, etc. It also allows you to easily share data between two or more devices over a short distance without an internet connection.
Bluetooth-enabled devices are vulnerable to cyber attacks when users forget to turn off their Bluetooth devices, which allows hackers to break into your device. Hackers use various methods such as “man in the middle” attacks, “blue bugging,” “blueprinting”, etc. It is always best practice to turn off your Bluetooth-enabled devices when not in use.
10. Train your staff
Your employee is the first line of defense against the cyberattack. Security awareness training for employees is an essential part of protecting any business from cyberattacks and data breaches.
Cybersecurity awareness training would help the employees understand the importance of cyber security and how to deal with and respond to potential threats.
Conclusion
Follow the steps mentioned in this blog post to protect yourself and your organization against cyber attacks.