The dark web is really scarier than the boogeyman!
One of the common issues on the Dark Web – whether you use it or not – is the sale of passwords, bank account information, Social Security numbers, and other private data.
Hackers can breach firewalls and software to obtain this information and then go to the Dark Web to sell it to other criminals.
Gone are the days where just having Anti-virus software on your computer was all the security you needed. If you want to protect your data, you need to make sure you have layers of security, making it harder for the bad guys to get into your network and then making it hard for them to stay there.
Here are 3 other key practices to implement to protect your data, think of this as ONE of many layers to keeping data safe and your company out of the news:
1. Keep your eye out for strange emails.
What this means is even if you receive an email from someone or a company you know, check the email address, look for signs of poor grammar or spelling, and tread carefully before clicking any links. If you get something saying your account is suspended and to click to verify details, go straight to the site and check it that way. Hackers try to create fear or urgency to get you to make bad choices.
2. Pay attention to data breaches.
An easy way to do this is to subscribe to online newsletters, such as Data Breach Today. This way you’ll be regularly alerted if a large company gets hacked. You’ll also want to keep a close eye on bank statements and credit card usage to make sure your information is accurate and you don’t notice anything fraudulent.
3. Choose unique and hard to learn passwords.
As easy as it is for you to remember the same password for every account and device, imagine what happens to your data the second a hacker figures that one out. Choose the strong passwords assigned by your phone or computer, and use a free password tool, such as LastPass to keep track so you don’t have to. Don’t share them with others and don’t use identifying information when selecting them.
Check out this blog post about how to create great passwords: Password Tips for you and your Business
While you might do everything in your power to prevent your data being stolen, you’ll want to have monitoring software in place. We have multiple plans available, depending on your budget. Schedule a 10-minute discovery call to see the cybersecurity protections we offer and determine if your information is already available on the Dark Web with a free scan. Call us at 806-853-7757 or visit What IT Support is right for you?
