What is GRC and why should SMEs care?
If you run an SME, chances are you’re already doing some of this without even realising it. Every time you…
Let’s talk about passwords! Your password is the key to your online kingdom. From shopping, travel, banking and more – but just how strong is that key?
Here’s our handy tips on what you need to know to build a password that can withstand even the most determined cyber intruders!
Turning on 2-step verification is without a doubt one of the most effective ways to protect your online accounts from cyber criminals. Your most important accounts such as banking, email, social media and shopping should all have 2 – step verification turned on for each account.
Two-step verification is a method of confirming your identity when using online services like the ones listed above. Most major online platforms (especially banking) offer this feature. Also referred to as two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA), 2-step verification adds an extra layer of security. During the setup process, you’ll be required to provide a ‘second step,’ which is something unique to you. This could be a code sent via text message or generated by an app.
Weak passwords are easy for cyber criminals to guess. Where possible you should avoid the ‘obvious’ passwords, ones that are easy to guess, like ‘password’. It is also wise to steer clear of significant dates, such as yours or a loved one’s date of birth. Favourite sports teams, nicknames and even pet names should also be avoided as these details can usually be found on your social media profiles.
Don’t forget if all of your passwords are the same, and follow the same trend e.g., your dog’s name and your birthday then all of a sudden you’re a bit more of an attractive target to hackers.
The NCSC suggests using three random words. For example, ‘strawberryclockshoe’ . By using a password that’s made up of three random words, you’re creating a password that will be ‘strong enough’ to keep the cyber criminals out, but easy enough for you to remember. Don’t forget there is always the option to use a password manager which creates strong passwords and remembers them for you! A password manager is our personal favourite!
Having lots of online accounts and trying to remember every unique password for each of them is really difficult! Using a password manager can be a game-changer and it can help you with the points listed above! It securely stores and encrypts your passwords, making it easier to generate and manage complex passwords without the headache of remembering them all!
Most web browsers, including Chrome and Safari, allow you to save your passwords. It’s completely safe to use this feature on your personal device PROVIDED THAT YOUR PASSWORD FOR YOUR BROWSER (E.G. GOOGLE) IS SECURE AND PROTECTED BY 2 STEP VERIFICATION AS WE DESCRIBED ABOVE.
If you’re using a shared computer, such as those at a school or a library, you should NEVER save your password in the browser. When using a shared device, always remember to make sure you log out of the webpage/s you are using. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable for others to easily access your information.
There are numerous password managers available, many of which offer free versions with some limitations. It’s a good idea to look for online reviews and find one that suits your needs.
If you suspect your passwords have been compromised, the first thing to do is to change your passwords from the account or accounts that has been hacked. Don’t forget if you’ve reused the compromised password on other websites, or even if it’s slightly similar, then you must change it everywhere it’s been used!
If money has been taken from your account, you must contact your bank immediately and report it as a crime to action fraud, the UK’s reporting centre for cyber crime. If you are in Scotland you should contact the police by dialling 101.
We know it can be frustrating when you receive a notification that the latest update is needed for our device. However, please do not ignore it! These updates include protextion from virus and other forms of malware. The added bonus to these updates are that they often include improvements and new features!
If your phone or digital device has an ‘Automatic Updates’ option, we strongly advise to turn this on. This can normally be found in your device settings.
Things to bear in mind when updating your device:
Cyber crime and theft, unfortunately, cannot be avoided. If you are unlucky enough to have been hacked or have had your digital device/s stolen, backing up your data is a safe way to store your important files.
Losing your precious photos, memories or a document is something nobody wants to experience, but there are a couple of ways to securely back up your data.
Some may consider removable media a bit old school, but nonetheless, it is still a safe and secure way to back up your data. Just make sure to keep it somewhere safe.
Most of the major tech giants, Apple, Google and Microsoft, offer a limited amount of cloud storage for free. Apple offers 5GB of storage for free, whereas Google Drive offers 15GB for free with a Google account. Of course, they all offer the option to increase the GB storage for a fee, along with some additional benefits. It is worth considering how much GB you’ll need and deciding if it is worth increasing the amount of storage for your data.
Our entire lives are online and having strong passwords help keep your online profile safe. Using the helpful reminders that are listed above on how to remain secure, should be taken onboard.
One further important thing to highlight is never share your passwords, even with friends or colleagues. You may as well leave your windows and doors open when you go out with a sign saying burglars this way, please!
Use a password manager to keep your passwords safe and secure and ensure you have enabled two factor authentication on your devices. Trust is crucial, but security is paramount!
We hope these tips have been useful, and you can begin implementing them across your devices.
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