Do you think that just setting up a stronger password will protect your systems from being intruded by hackers? If you still harbour this misconception, you might want to stop and reconsider your cybersecurity practices right now.
From ransomware like Wanna cry that exploits root vulnerabilities to malware-infested emails that rely on spear phishing to lead you on; your cybersecurity is at a constant threat of being thought out by a hacker.
Modern-day cybersecurity requires you to up your game like never before and continuously work towards plugging all those gaping holes through which an intrusion can be attempted.
And contrary to popular belief, you don’t need fancy systems or huge financial investments to weed out the vulnerabilities in your cybersecurity arsenal. Strengthening your cybersecurity is more about avoiding crucial mistakes rather than investing any lengthy financial or human costs.
Here are the 5 missteps you need to steer clear of if you want to protect your systems and data from most types of hacking attacks:
Projecting your OS’s Security to beyond their Operating Domain:
A commonly held belief is that Macs are not as vulnerable as other similar OS platforms like Windows. And while this is true to a very high extent, due to some excellent security functionalities deployed by Mac like sand boxing and restricting base permissions, the innate security of your OS won’t expand or protect you beyond its control sphere.
Mac users often don’t deploy VPNs because they project their system’s capabilities wrongly. But to break it to them, their devices, like all others, can’t do anything to protect a system against online threats such as MITM attacks. There is often no substitute for getting a Best VPN for Mac, because only it can offer you the security you require to maintain your online privacy in the best manner possible.
Not Upgrading Your Software Timely:
The Wannacry ransomware wreaked havoc on systems across the globe, causing millions of dollars in damage worldwide due to ransom payments, restorations costs, wasted productivity and more. But do you know that all this could have been avoided had security teams and users installed the patch issued by Microsoft to patch the vulnerability which caused the attack in the first place?
Not updating your software through officially issued patches will not just make your system more vulnerable to targeted attacks but it will also result in other systems in your network to be infested with the same attack even if they’ve been updated.
Ensure that updates are done as soon as possible, or even better, create a mechanism through which you can enable auto upgrading.
Trying to Use Crack Software:
Useful software is often expensive to download and deploy, an issue that users look to circumvent by trying to deploy cracks. However, in the computing domain, indulging in piracy is not let go with a simple warning. Hackers know what the popular tools and software are, and it is often they, who plant cracks of this software in easy to access places, using them as hooks through which they can bait you.
Think of downloading cracks as allowing malware and ransomware to piggyback their way to your system. Once there, they can do anything. From ransomware to malware to even using your system in a huge botnet network to mine bitcoins, the possibilities become endless for the hackers.
Buy authentic versions of software only, as they might be expensive but they are trustworthy enough for you to allow them on your systems without worrying.
Offering Easy Lead On To Hackers:
Have you ever shared your Netflix password with anyone in your family or friends? Let’s admit it, we’ve all been guilty of that practice. But do you know that this could be akin to offering a gateway to hackers?
You’ll beat the whole purpose of having a password, even a strong one, by doing acts like that. Even if your cybersecurity is strong, it might be that your friends or family might not be as stringent with theirs, so if they’re invaded ever, chances are that your passwords will also land up with hackers.
And considering that we often use similar passwords for multiple domains, it’s just a matter of time before hackers can figure them out through brute force computing.
Never share your passwords with anyone, even if they seem inconsequential. No chances are to be taken when it comes to your cybersecurity or you’ll be left ruing it very soon.
Not Working Towards Building Protection on Shared Systems:
If you have more than one person working on a shared network, you don’t need to give each person full access to all aspects of the system. Risking a part of the system is always better than putting all of it at risk. If someone infests the system of a particular user, you need to ensure that you have a mechanism in place to wall the threat off and control it from spreading.
Nonetheless, when a person leaves a shared network you should change passwords immediately so that no access can be gained to crucial system networks either physically or through an online source.
Conclusion:
Cybersecurity is more about getting the common sense right than it’s about anything else. Being proactive, aware and vigilant can neutralize most of the threats out there, even some of the big ones. So always be on your toes when it comes down to strengthening your data security and system protection systems and you’ll end up just alright.