As fraud is on the rise across the country, protecting your data seems to be getting more complicated by the day. The fraudulent access of information online has really become something that businesses and civilians all need to take seriously to stay safe in the digital era. One of the most common entry points for a hacker is a virus downloaded to your device. Many of these viruses watch quietly while you enter private information like addresses, passwords, and bank information.
But if you know what to do to stay safe from computer viruses, you can do business with confidence. Here are three key tips to help you navigate the world of work despite the risks.
1. Update Your Anti-Virus Protection
Antivirus software is designed to find known viruses and oftentimes other malware such as Ransomware, Trojan Horses, worms, spyware, adware, etc., that can have a detrimental impact on the user or device. Such programs are still one of the most important staples of cyber security. Antivirus programs provide a way to protect against known threats. The effectiveness of an antivirus program is heavily dependent on how often it is updated.
Therefore, it is important to have the antivirus program scheduled to update daily. Most antivirus programs rely on a library or database of known viruses that they use to compare with programs on a user’s device. If a match is found, the malicious program will either be deleted or placed into a quarantine area from which a user can decide to restore or delete the program manually.
But virus protection alone is not enough to keep documentation safe and secure. The clear vulnerability of virus protection software is that it can’t protect against new or unknown viruses or attacks.
2. Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-Factor Authentication is a security protocol that is quickly becoming the new standard of identity verification. Requiring users to provide multiple forms of identity verification (such as a password and mobile device request, for example) will provide better protection at all levels of access. This form of authentication will help add that extra layer of security that can make your data not worth the effort of stealing. Remember that hackers are often looking for the path of least resistance, and this can be all it takes to deter a potential attack.
3. Password Managers
Many of the biggest and most notorious corporate data hacks have been blamed on inefficient password protections. A strong password is one that is easy to remember but hard to guess, but that in and of itself is not enough protection these days. Using the same password across different devices, across personal and professional accounts, and even across different employee access levels can lead to very real problems when it comes to network security. The invention of password managers has changed the playing field for companies looking to increase the quality of their passwords without slowing down their employees. From storing to creating complex and difficult-to-hack passwords, managers are the smart and convenient way forward.
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For more tips to stay safe online, connect with the team at Happy Faces today.
