[BreachExchange] How to prevent your system from being hacked

[Audrey McNeil]

http://opensources.info/how-to-prevent-your-system-from-being-hacked/

You may be concerned that keeping your company’s system safe from hacking
could necessitate significant expenditure on various security products and
services. However, there are actually various ways in which you can protect
your system at a low cost. This is particularly appealing for small
businesses who could lack abundant financial reserves.

Educate your employees on how to guard against phishing

Hacking is most commonly carried out using a technique known as phishing.
This is where the hacker sends emails from what is apparently a trusted
source and the recipient opens the emails before clicking on an included
link or replying to one of the emails. In this way, they can give away
information that can be used by the hacker to breach the system.

Thankfully, however, you could go a surprisingly long way towards
preventing phishing attacks when you teach your employees how they could
spot phishing attempts. A good start would be to ensure that no email’s
links are simply assumed trustworthy, as advised by ValueWalk. However,
security integrity testing provided by a company such as TenIntelligence
can also be good for uncovering where your company’s security could be
beefed up.

Put effective anti-spyware software in place

Spyware is malicious software that, when hidden in innocent-looking
software that has been downloaded via a link or online “free giveaway”,
indeed spies on what the computer or mobile device’s user is doing. It can
collect data, such as passwords learnt through monitoring keystrokes – and
changing device settings and redirecting browser searches are also among
spyware’s abilities.

Installing anti-spyware software can, therefore, be a good measure for
picking up on software that you have not previously realised has been
stealing confidential data on the device.

Install effective antimalware and antivirus software, too

Spyware is actually just one type of malware – the common, shortened term
for malicious software. Malware is designed to get into the computer before
damaging the system and gathering data. With the possibility of
inadvertently downloading malware through something as simple as clicking
on an email link, it is vital that your company has software that can
account for this.

You could download network security software that, in catering for many
different aspects of network security, includes antimalware and antivirus
components. This could prove more financially beneficial than buying
separate pieces of software to meet different security needs. However, you
also shouldn’t overlook that some companies offer free versions of
antimalware and antivirus software, allowing you to more easily get many of
the benefits of the paid-for versions.

Remember to act on software update notifications

It might sometimes seem a nuisance to have to keep dismissing these
notifications that pop up when you are busy trying to get a vital piece of
work completed. Clicking “remind me tomorrow” is really your way of saying
“leave me alone”; however, you should keep in mind that software updates
can include vital fixes for your device’s security. Therefore, act on those
notifications or, perhaps even better, allow the device to update itself
automatically.
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