Support Article ID: 1396470
I sometimes get asked to make some recommendations about how to keep your work computer secure, or home one and these are my basic starting tips without getting technical.
This was written in May 2019 so some examples may be dated when yuo read this.
I am not a security expert, so my points below are my opinion only. However I have done more than the average person with sorting out some security issues but I am not formally trained in the area, only self taught. That's my disclaimer by the way so get expert advice from someone else when looking to secure things.
If you are on windows XP, 7, 8 then you cannot be secure. You need to be on the latest operating system.
If you do not then make sure you have backups that are disconnected from your network and are regularly updated so you have a way to recover if you get compromised or your computer dies from being too damned old. Have most of your data in the cloud via Office365 exchange and reputable online accounting platforms.
If you have a phone you must get a password APP. By having it synced to the cloud, if your phone is stolen, drowned, dies, lost you can download your encrypted passwords from your new devices and continue on like nothing has happened.
Passwords apps are from $5 - $100.
Don't be lazy, that's crazy. Be diligent to store your passwords on your phone app. Your phone is with you all the time so its perfect for this.
BUT Write down and record your Password APP password on Paper in secure location at home. You could encode this too. if need be. If you forget this you are back to square one.
Brute force attacks take your basic information and blast thousands of options over a few hours and easily crack passwords.
Make up a random saying such as - "I love to drink Beer and eat chips" and then you can make the password the first letter of each word. Iltdbaec5%5
another Random saying "My mum use to smack me and I cried" which can become with some numbers and characters on the end. Mmu2smaic6#4
Use song lyrics from two different songs or sports players numbers you like.
The number one way your computer is compromised is through opening a malicious file attachment or clicking on a link which then downloads a tiny amount of malicious code in micro seconds that starts your undoing.
The number one way your computer is compromised is through opening a malicious file or clicking on a link which downloads a tiny amount of malicious code in micro seconds that starts your undoing.
Delete any suspicious emails and empty your trash regularly
Mouse over links without clicking on them in email and look at whether the domain link looks suspicious. They can often look very close to an authentic domain but be subtly different. Any doubt , throw the email out.
The number one way your computer is compromised is through opening a malicious file or clicking on a link which downloads a tiny amount of malicious code in micro seconds that starts your undoing.
POP and IMAP are cheap alternatives but dont carry the weight of security that microsoft offer. But microsoft office365 is by no means invincible. Plenty of big companies using microsoft products get into trouble.
If you were not expecting an attachment don't open it. Email or SMS your contact and ask if they sent you a file. Even if you are expecting it, double check the source. Everyone is getting parcels delivered these days, so virus emails sent as delivery confirmation are a common tactic that are very effective for hackers and scammers.
Have I made myself clear. Dont click bloody anything you are not absolutely sure of.
Some of the most unethical nasty people in the world use the lure of porn and gambling and other insidious vices to entrap your business computer systems. Do not search up or visit these sites. Malicious software can be downloaded onto your computer costing you thousands, tens of thousands of dollars, your entire business, your staff's jobs, your marriage, the respect of your children. Ask yourself is it worth it. If it is, get a cheap or old reformatted laptop you can ruin and make sure its never on the same network as your office systems. The few hundred you spend here will save you thousands to tens of thousands.
When logging into bank accounts and online accounting software, check you are where you should be and that the appropriate security indicators are in place. You can click on these to check. If in doubt, stay out.
WIFI networks are gold for hackers. Usually passwords are set to be ridiculously guessable or can be brute forced becuase they are too short.
Do NOT do a dodgy DIY offsite backup system as your main back up process. Sure do a backup but you also need to