How to keep up with the latest cyber security news

By Dan Reynolds. 20+ years in the insurance industry, I have worked with multiple brokers and am fully qualified in loss adjustment and risk managament. I write about the many different aspects of business insurance, for and about many different companies including Griffiths and Armour. 

Cybersecurity, also known as IT or computer security is defined as the protection of network, data and computer systems in cyberspace[1].

Cyber-attacks, on the other hand, seem too scary to many of us. It is very frightening to know that it can happen to everyone, especially because every one of us is afraid of it losing our work material, information, or even money when this kind of attack occurs.

Many countries are fighting this kind of criminal, though. But cyber-attacks are hard to punish by law, because of its invisibility and are pretty hard to prove. Some countries even bring more harm than benefit. For example, China’s recent Cybersecurity law brings many questions which need to be answered. Many experts agree that it will have an impact on both China’s market and the one out its boundaries.

In this new, technology age, it is amazing how things happen. Information is surrounding us and we are given so many opportunities through the Internet and its resources. Still, it is very hard to stay safe online – and it gets only harder.  As the number of devices on the Web grows, the chances of Cyber-attacks grow, too.

The reasons for being attacked are many – whether you may have a high profile on the Web, possess valuable information, or you are vulnerable for some reason – someone will try to exploit it. Therefore, every person spending his/her time online, or an organization with an online employment should understand the cyber threats and safeguard against them.

As the threats from being attacked online grow every day, the new ways of fighting the problem are being developed, too. If you are a business organization with successful employment, you must prevent exposure to the online everyday risks. Of course, the best way to avoid it is to hire a professional agency, which will know what and how to do it.

If on the other hand, you don’t have enough money for a professional protection, but you still want to be secure on the Web, you may do some things to protect yourself online. Here are seven ways to keep you safe on the Web.

1. Invest in Antivirus program. It is not so big investment after all – if you count how much you will give, it is about 3 or 4 dollars a month. Talk to your friends and you can divide the cost. You will have a few devices protected for a year or more. That is something that money can’t buy.
2. Create a habit to scan any removable device before opening the data. Removable disks are very often carrying dangerous or malicious files. That is the reason why you should never transfer or open files without scanning – especially if it isn’t your own device.
3. Educate yourself. You don’t have to graduate an IT University, but learn how to avoid online threats. Remember: If anything sounds more than real, it probably is! Avoid offers to earn money by doing nothing and don’t ever give your essential information to anyone unless you are sure about it!
4. Protect your sensitive data. Backup the important data, so that it isn’t exposed on the internet. Be sure that you don’t post it online or make it private, so that it isn’t available for anyone.
5. Protect your account passwords. Passwords are highly important. Especially if you have credit card accounts or your own websites. If anyone gets access to them – you may never have a chance to access your accounts again. First, make sure that your passwords are strong enough. Use mix of characters, numbers and avoid using the same ones for different accounts. Write down the most important passwords and don’t remember it in the browser. Also, make sure to change it at least in a 3 months period.
6. Be careful when clicking links and downloading the attachments. Don’t click the unfamiliar and the suspicious links – or download the same kind of files. Double check the website and the URL that you are clicking because sometimes fraudsters use misspelled words to drive attention and get clicks.
7. Don’t pay or transfer money from a different Every money transfer should be done from your personal computer. Whether it is a public computer or your friend’s, it might easily be stolen or copied.

With many websites attacked daily from different hacking groups, it is normal for everyone to be considered for his/her online safety. Keep up with these tips and stay informed, so you could easily avoid being attacked, or even worse – robbed.

[1] www.itgovernance.co.uk

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