Technology can surely make our lives better; the internet has become the primary source of information, and the latest tech advancements have the solution for everything. However, if you don’t know how to manage your relationship with technology properly, you can face many risks that can have long-term challenges, as you put at risk your safety and, in case you have a business, your employees and your company’s sensitive data. Mistakes are inevitable, but when they lead to terrible outcomes, such as data breaches, things get more serious. A data breach is the attempt of another individual or group of people who have malicious intentions to break into your systems to steal sensitive information, aiming to access your bank accounts, reputational damage and threats. Being in this kind of situation can feel like a nightmare, so to protect your mental health, it would be best to learn how to prevent data breaches:
Learn to identify data breaches
A data breach can be defined as a security incident that involves an individual or a group of people with malevolent intentions trying to break into your system, aiming to steal your sensitive information for various reasons, such as reputational damage, to steal your money accessing your bank accounts, or with a specific goal to ruin your company. Before taking action to prevent this hack and protect your system, it’s essential to learn to identify data breaches. Some signs that your system is compromised can be:
- Unusually slow device
- Pop-up messages
- Unexpected account activities
- File changes
- Missing funds
- Login issues
- Suspicious e-mails
Common types of data breaches
Another step in the identification of a data breach is making sense of the most popular techniques and types. For example, here are some of the most common ways cyber-criminals try to access your system:
- Phishing: this type of data breach involves sending to the victim suspicious links via e-mail, that lead to malevolent websites designed to steal your credentials to access your sensitive information.
- Password guessing: Simply put, a weak password can be easily guessed, that’s why it’s crucial to opt for a strong password and choose different ones for all your accounts.
- Malware: When someone unauthorised gains access to your device, they can install malicious software that is designed to steal your sensitive data.
If you identify any kind of suspicious activity into your accounts and devices, you can seek professional help reaching to the team at Data Breach Compensation Expert, that can help you identify the problem, gain evidence and get compensated for the security incident.
Use strong passwords
As easy as it might sound, many people neglect the importance of using a strong password for their devices. This can be a terrible mistake that puts all your data at risk because password guessing is one of the most common techniques for a data breach. So, it would be a great idea to take into consideration the security requirements for choosing your password whenever accessing a website or creating an account, so you should include numbers, caps, letters, special characters and so on. And, of course, try to avoid using your own name.
Consider multi-factor authenticators
One of the best solutions to strengthen the security of your apps and accounts is to use multi-factor authenticators. This method adds an extra layer of security to your existing system, requiring additional information to gain access to your account. For example, you might have to provide your Face ID, respond to a personal question you set in advance, have to introduce a one-time code you receive in real-time on your device, and so on. By embracing MFA, you can significantly minimise the risks of data breaches, layering your security with useful technologies.
Update your software
The main aspect that leads to data breaches is the system’s vulnerabilities. So, to address this issue, it’s crucial to update your software frequently. This prevention method should not be neglected, as it can be the solution for stronger security on your devices. A software update can fix the current security flaws of your system, provide you with the latest security measures, fix bugs that could be a great vulnerability of your system, ensure that your device runs smoothly, and provide you with a user-friendly interface that improves your experience.
Encrypt your devices
Encryption is one of the best ways to ensure that your sensitive data is protected, enhance confidentiality, and prevent your devices from being accessed by unauthorised individuals. Simply put, when you encrypt your device, you lock down your information, and to access it, you need strong passwords or an encryption key. Your activity on an encrypted device is highly secure, and all your emails or messages remain private. This practice is essential, especially for businesses, because they are the main target of cybercriminals, as they want to access their data to steal money from their accounts or ruin their reputation on the market for various reasons, even a competitive advantage.
Avoid public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi can be a real trap for naïve individuals. Cybercriminals design an unencrypted network with appealing names such as “free airport Wi-Fi” to attract people with the intention of stealing their information. This kind of data breach is another popular way hackers access your devices and break into your systems without your knowing it, so to ensure your safety, it would be best to think twice before clicking on something appealing.
The bottom line
Being a victim of a data breach can be very overwhelming, as you might risk your reputation, money and entire career because of a simple mistake or moment of naivety. So, learning to identify a data breach and make sense of the various techniques used by hackers to access your device is crucial to prevent a long-term terrible outcome.