In addition to technical vulnerabilities, the employee is often the easiest way for an attacker to access company data. The reason: uncertainty, ignorance, or convenience in daily work.
But this disadvantage can turn into an opportunity for you. You can significantly reduce the risk of attacks on your company with regular employee training. We recommend our training courses: Computer Security for Employees and Data Protection for Employees.
Don't worry, your employees don't have to be computer specialists. We will teach you the basic rules that you must use to make your company much more secure.
1. Regular Updates
First of all, you should keep the software on your computer as up-to-date as possible and regular updates will help you. It is recommended to activate the automatic software update function. Updates help eliminate potential security holes. Be aware of regular updates to your browsers and email programs.
2. Protect Your Computer With Antivirus Programs
Install an updated antivirus (We recommend complete security software.) that helps protect your computer from viruses and Trojans. Programs of this type scan your computer, manually or automatically, and report any problems that occur. There are three different types of analysis: real-time analysis, manual analysis, and online analysis:
Real-time Scanner: Runs in the background as a system service and controls all files, applications, and services. If virus protection has found something suspicious, the user is usually asked first what the next procedure should look like, so that the user has the power of decision.
Online Virus Scanners: Online scanners check files or the entire computer over the Internet. This works without installation and usually without registration. However, the software does not protect the computer from new infections, it only detects existing threats during the scan.
Manual Scanners: The special feature is the manual scanner setup. The user must initiate each scan by himself. If a dangerous program is found, the program displays possible solutions to neutralize it.
It must be determined in advance that the antivirus scanner is running permanently so that malicious programs can be detected at an early stage. So-called full scans are also recommended, which completely scan the computer.
Antivirus programs should be mandatory for everyone, as this dramatically increases the overall security of the computer.
3. Beware of Unknown Data Sources!
Unknown data sources include, for example, USB sticks or external hard drives. These appear to be safe at first glance but may contain malware or virus-contaminated files. Connecting a USB device may be enough to infect the computer without any signs.
Tip: Do not connect any foreign device to your computer, as you never know what may be in it. You should also not lend your devices to strangers, as a virus transmission is possible.
4. Caution With Unknown Files on the Internet
As the most important means of communication, e-mail presents a particularly high risk when it comes to phishing: therefore, you should check e-mails with archives. attachments in particular, as the malware could hide there.
You must not open email attachments from unknown senders!
You can use an antivirus program to check email attachments so that you are safe. In addition, you can opt for various types of email encryption to prevent potential virus attacks by malware. To be effectively protected, email messages must encrypt stored correspondence records and the connection to your email provider.
5. Be Careful When Installing New Software
It is very likely that everyone who surfs the Internet has already installed some software. Also in this case it must be checked beforehand whether and to what extent the source is reputable. Because when you download software onto your computer, malware can be an unwanted guest.
6. Regular Backups
Despite all security precautions, your computer may have been infected with Trojans or other malicious programs. As a result, the data is no longer accessible in the worst case.
In short: Everything is erased or can no longer be recovered. Therefore, we recommend regular backups to external storage media so that photos, videos, and documents can be stored independently of the computer.
7. Browser Security: Use Updates!
Outdated browsers are the number one target for malicious hacker attacks. You can also use different browsers for different services. This has the advantage that all plug-ins, extensions, and cookies can be disabled in a browser, as they are particularly vulnerable.
As a result, you will no longer be able to bank or shop online there, but you will be more secure on supposedly unsafe websites.
In addition, you should regularly delete your tracks on the Internet, such as the cache. This makes them more difficult for cyber attackers to detect.
8. Drive-by Download: Open Your Eyes!
Hacker attacks are becoming more frequent and imaginative. An example of this is downloaded from the hard drive. However, the attackers' approach is quite simple:
An Internet user visits a website that has previously been edited by hackers. Now, this manipulation of the website triggers a download. In some cases, this is not even noticed by the user, because there is no additional demand if the download has to be started. Once the malicious program is on the PC, the real effect can unfold and thus damage the user's device.
Now the question arises on how to optimally protect against such attacks. Here we also recommend an updated antivirus program. Otherwise, you should be on the lookout for suspicious websites or questionable downloads, as malware is very difficult to detect.
9. Use Strong Passwords
At this point, users and companies should be careful to use strong and above all complex passwords. For example, password managers can be used to store passwords securely and to generate new passwords made up of different letters, numbers, and special characters.
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