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Cyber security is such a popular term in this technological age. It’s because, whether you’re just a startup or a mega business, one big truth about this Internet-powered world today is that you’ll need a strong cyber security strategy in the war against hackers and phisher.

That’s just the same way you would need to prevent robbers from invading your home and privacy, as well as taking your stuff without your permission. Because all it takes is clicking one suspicious link and your entire business could come crashing down.

Literally. Perhaps, that’s why Google is testing domain-only URLs in Chrome to help foil scams and phishing.

Why do we need cyber security?

Because hackers and phishers are always on the move, learning new ways and steps to broaden their vicious online skills. This is the same tactic you’ll need to employ in order to beat them.

But how can you do that? If these guys are as good as they are rumored to be, how can you beat them?

Well, for starters, you don’t necessarily need to be a computer “know-it-all” to improve your cyber security. Just by knowing what and what not to do, you can easily avoid online threats and attacks.

Besides just changing your password, here are a few other simple steps to put make you hacker-proof:

1. Update your system software regularly

This not only gives your cyber security a good elevating nudge, but it will also enhance user experience by getting rid of out-of-date applications and features. It will also increase speed performance, and better optimize your computer to connect with other devices easily without you having any issues.

You can always leave your software updates to the auto-update feature to do it for you. But to update or not to update? Here is the answer to the software update dilemma.

2. Avoid emails with untrusted attachments

Although this pandemic period has created an opportunity for your next consultation to be from your living room, it has also encouraged a lot of phishers to pose as charity foundations who want to collect “donations” to “help the poor and needy”. However sympathetic you may feel, we advise that your suspicion allows you to be thoroughly investigative first before diving into any action.

Phishers can easily steal sensitive information from you just by posing as any notable organization. They contact you under the guise of a copycat email address or even send links to lookalike sites based on the real one.

And just by clicking them, you can divulge your details to these phishers without knowing it. Here’s how email spoofers can use major websites to pose a massive threat.

To avoid such email attachments that can compromise your cyber security, always check the email address to know if it’s from the original source.

Or better still, contact the original source if you have the right email address or site address. You can also employ the assistance of anti-spoofing verification systems, such as SPF (Sender Policy Framework).

This makes it so much easier for the receiver of any email to tell if the mail is one pretending to come from an original source. The unauthentic email address, along with its content, will then be sent straight to the “spam” folder, or blocked entirely, after detection.

3. Use two-step verification methods

This should give hackers a bit of a headache when trying to get access into your business’ accounts. Two-step verifications allow you to extra fortify your business accounts by demanding for an additional login detail in order to confirm your online identity.

Google allows you to use this process in such a way that you can decide to request for a text message confirmation, a phone prompt, or even a security key gadget. This will pair with your phone, after which you’d then be able to have access to your Google account.

4. Indulge your employees in extensive cyber security training

Your business could be endangered or put at a high risk of cyber attack, all because one inexperienced employee accidentally leaked sensitive information to an untrusted source. Just you alone knowing everything about cyber security is not enough.

Your team also needs to be on the same awareness wavelength with you, in terms of learning how to create strong passwords on their own, learning how to update system software, how to install and run antivirus packages, and even knowing what to do after experiencing cyber attack, among other cyber security related skills, without your help and assistance.

5. Use trusted anti-spyware and anti-virus software programs to fish out malicious content

Sometimes, suspicious content, such as spyware programs that can spy on you and steal sensitive information from you, could be hidden in your computer system, right under your nose.

This is where anti-spyware software come to the rescue. They help to scan your computer and identify those programs that exist to steal important details about and from you.

Avast is one example of a strong anti-spyware program.

Also, combining a strong anti-virus software package can help you to further strengthen your system by preventing virus threats that could lead to loss of data, or even go as far as encouraging system malfunction.

According to TechRadar, Bitdefender is the best antivirus provider for 2021.

6. Trash wisely. Do not litter sensitive info

Deleting documents and important files properly can do you a lot more good than you can imagine. Just sending them to the trash doesn’t leave you in the clear.

Your computer will only assume that you might want to recover those files and leave them in the trash. And through spyware programs, hackers can obtain these documents.

When disposing of such files, it’s best to permanently erase them. And if you’re unsure whether to delete them or not, you could always back them up somewhere else.

Additionally you could change your settings so only your selected devices can have access to it.

7. Employ the use of top-notch web filtering tools.

Web filtering tools like WebTitan have the power to assess a web site or page thoroughly, in order to determine what a user can have access to. The filter checks the background or content of a page.

If such content or page were to go against the rules set up in the web filter you use, the tool would then give you the chance to avoid the content altogether by blocking your access, or by warning you.

What if all these cyber security measures don’t work?

Sometimes, even with all the tight security plans we set up to protect ourselves from potential threats, we still end up losing valuable data and files. It’s why you should always have a backup.

Backups are like life jackets. They won’t exactly prevent a flood of threats from finding you out, but they can save you a whole load of trouble.