If you’re new to the IT field, but enthusiastic about your path ahead as a network administrator, security expert, or development genius, your IT recruitment agency is going to want to know about you. But no matter what your specialty is, your best general weapon would be your knowledge on how to keep company information and data safe and protected from hackers. It is true that in today’s information environment, security is very much more than posting a mall guard to protect your local pet store, etc. Instead, you have to know what hackers are capable of, and then know how to deter their efforts at getting into your personal and company files.
Here are some tips to follow to stop hackers:
1. Be intelligent about passwords
Too many people who use computers will use the same password for all their online accounts – their company login, Google, Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, and even their banking details. They may even link many of their accounts together, which is a behaviour encouraged by AppleID. The goal is convenience, but the consequence is that if someone wanted to gain access to your accounts, they could do so with one simple entry point. If you have multiple accounts online, have different secure passwords for each one.
2. Be careful with credit card information
Many online vendors will want to store your credit card information – again, for convenience. If you use their services again, you simply click “Pay” and the transaction is processed, instead of retyping all your credit card details. It would be better for you to spend a few minutes retyping the details each time, than having your credit card compromised and your account cleared. If a company insists on keeping your details, then delete your account each time after using their services. A headache, yes, but better than the alternative.
3. BACK UP YOUR DATA
This may seem like the most logical thing in the history of computers, but too many people still take the chance and don’t do regular local backups of important data. Company data backups should run on an automatic backing up cycle (checked at least every two weeks to ensure it’s functioning properly), which should back up data once or twice a week (or every evening, depending on the size of the company).
4. Invest in a shredder
Important financial documents that are no longer needed should be shredded, and shouldn’t go into the bin in a crumpled ball. It’s possible for potential hackers to suss out paper documents in order to gain access to crucial financial accounts online, so limit the chances of this happening by destroying all confidential financial documents.
5. Increase your security
Many online vendors offer a two-step security verification process. Use this because it’s for your own safety. It will also make attempted hacking into your accounts more difficult, which may very well deter potential hackers.
