What do you think is more important to your customers: the safety of their data and online accounts, or having an easy experience when browsing the web? According to a 2021 Norton study, more than three out of five consumers surveyed said they accept certain privacy risks online to make life more convenient.
It’s even more important to have high cybersecurity standards when you’re a broadband service provider. Since October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, here’s a quick refresher for you—and for you to share with your customers—on how to keep personal information safe online:
1. Protect devices with regular updates
The best line of defense against online threats is keeping operating systems and applications up to date. Most updates include important security fixes that help defend devices against malware. We also recommend using an anti-virus software for added protection.
2. Manage passwords carefully
A strong, unique password is a strong defense against hackers. Here are four guidelines to keep in mind:
- Use long, unique passwords: the more characters it has, the harder it is to break. The best passwords are 12+ characters and contain a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Don’t recycle passwords: if one email/password combination is compromised, it puts other accounts using that combination at risk. It’s best to use a unique password for every website.
- Use a password manager. These nifty tools help users remember each unique password for each account, encrypt passwords to keep them safe, and can even suggest secure passwords.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). This provides an extra level of protection, especially for accounts containing sensitive information.
3. Use secure WiFi
Next time you’re having a cup at your local coffee shop, think twice about connecting to their free WiFi. Unsecured networks like these leave data vulnerable to prying eyes and hackers with malicious intent. Instead, consider using a mobile hotspot to go online, or connect to public WiFi using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which encrypts data to keep it safe.
4. Back up data regularly
Protect against data loss by backing up important and sensitive information. Following the 3-2-1 rule, you’ll want to keep three copies of your data at all times. Two of those backup copies should be stored on different media (e.g., one in the cloud, and one on an external drive), with one of them located offsite. (Need backup services? We can help.)
5. Think before you click
Fraudulent links are one of the most common ways cybercriminals can gain access to sensitive information. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious, and when in doubt, don’t click! If you need help, find someone who can manage your cybersecurity.
6. Check settings
Make it a habit to conduct privacy checkups on social media sites and mobile apps to make sure privacy settings are at the right level.
Remember—it’s one thing to know how to keep you and your customers safe online. It’s another thing to put these tips into practice.
At CHR Solutions, we recognize the importance of having a cybersecurity plan. If you have questions about how your company can stay safe or if you need other help with managed IT services, contact us today—we’re here to help.
