Do you remember the incident when Bangladesh Bank was cyber-attacked in 2016? Which is known as the Bangladesh Bank heist, and this is one of the most high-profile cyber crimes in history. It is clear that cyber attacks can cause huge disasters within an organisation.
We generally tend to believe that cybersecurity is only the responsibility of the IT department. But it is no longer limited to specific department roles; every employee within the organisation can practice cyber safety. It does not necessarily have to be in-depth security knowledge, but this cybersecurity is a team sport where every player’s actions matter.
However, hackers’ main target is the company’s regular employees, where they can strategically operate cyberattacks. One cyberattack can create tremendous loss; to prevent this sort of situation, every employee should know simple yet powerful cybersecurity tips. Here it goes:
- Create strong and unique passwords
Sounds simple, right? Still, many of us tend to avoid this simple step. It is highly advisable to use strong and unique passwords for each site or device. Try to ensure that your passwords include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Specialists always say never to use one password on multiple accounts; if any case one account gets hacked, other accounts will be easily accessible.
- Use two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security. Double verification is required whenever you try to log in. We usually took it as casual, totally avoiding the importance of 2FA. That is how accounts got easily hacked without the user’s pre-alert notification.
- Identify phishing attempts
Phishing emails and calls are two of the most popular cyber attacks. It usually requires “instant action” or personal information or directly asks for passwords. These are the clear signs that this is suspicious. But, if the emails or calls come from a trusted sender, still, it’s good practice to verify the accuracy.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for work
Public Wi-Fi gives a big exposure to cyberattacks. Cybercriminals are always looking for opportunities to do cyber attacks once you have just simple negligence. If there is a situation where it is a must to use public Wi-Fi, then make sure you are connected through VPN. This is for encrypting your internet traffic and securing sensitive data.
- Keep software up to date
Updated devices and applications help to minimise the risk of malicious activities. The previous version seems to have vulnerabilities that lack proper security. But it doesn’t mean you have to update the software again and again; just simply turn on automatic updates.
- Learn the basics of encryption
Whenever there is a data transmission, it’s a major responsibility to ensure the transmitted file is encrypted. It helps users to protect data during transmission. It’s easy to learn encryption tools like email encryption software or different encryption tools.
- Analyse URLs before clicking
Phishing websites try their best to look like the original website. Simply hover over the links to ensure authenticity. Make sure it starts with “https” and then justifies the domain. If it still looks suspicious to you, it’s better to completely avoid clicking the website.
The above discussions are simple yet powerful tactics that every employee should follow. We usually don’t pay that much attention to these simple tips, but just by adopting these practices, employees can become a first-line defence against cyber threats.