The Most Effective Ways to Improve Your Cyber Security

Cyber security spending was up more than 12% from 2017 to 2018, and the trend will likely continue into the future as users become more and more concerned with their online privacy. And while companies ranging from Facebook advertising agencies to SaaS platforms are doing everything they can to protect their audience from potential threats, humans remain the weakest link in information security.

User error can be enough to compromise even the most secure systems, so it’s important to do everything you can to maximize your protection. These cyber security tips will keep your information safe online and reduce the risk of making a mistake that could compromise your data.

Build Strong Passwords

It may surprise you in our high-tech era, but simply guessing passwords remains one of the most commonly used hacking methods. If you’re using the same password across multiple sites, or only doing the bare minimum to pass a website’s strength threshold, you’re not doing enough to protect your personal data.

The same mentality should apply to the physical security of all your devices. An unattended or unlocked device is an invitation to potential hackers, so keep computers, tablets, phones, and external hard drives safe and locked when not in use.

Browse Securely

Accessing the internet is another common weak point in the fight against cyber security threats, due to both the content online and the connection itself. Any online browsing that involves sensitive information should be done on a private connection, so avoid any WiFi network that’s open to the public.

Similarly, you should always avoid suspicious links or attachments, especially from unfamiliar websites or email addresses. If you’re not sure whether a website is legitimate, double check the URL—it’s common for phishing sites to look similar to common websites, with a slight misspelling.

Back Your Data Up

The possibility of losing data you haven’t backed up is another serious threat to your cyber security, so you should always have multiple copies of any information you wouldn’t be ok with not having access to. You can either back your data up using one of many cloud services or by purchasing your own physical drive.

Our information and online privacy is more important than ever, and tech companies are spending more and more every year to ensure our data is safe. Taking these simple steps to improve your cyber security will substantially reduce the risk of your information being compromised.