Almost everyone thinks they would know if their computer was hacked. However, this isn’t always the case. Hackers are very clever and can often go undetected for a long time. To protect yourself and your business, it’s essential to be aware of the different ways that you can be hacked and to take steps to protect yourself from these attacks.
Here are ten security holes that your business should be aware of:
1. Weak Passwords
One of the most commonly seen security holes is weak passwords. Hackers are getting more intelligent, so it’s essential to have strong passwords that include different types of characters (letters, numbers, and symbols). It would be best if you also changed your password regularly.
2. Using Public Wi-Fi Without Protection
Using public wireless hotspots (without protection) can leave you vulnerable to hackers who use this as a way to gain access to computers without users knowing what’s happened. If you do use free or unsecured wireless hotspots, make sure you only visit websites using HTTPS encryption technology. This will ensure that your data is encrypted and can’t be read by third parties.
3. The USB Drive Scam
One common hack is called the USB drive scam. A hacker will offer free flash drives with an enticing message on them encouraging you to plug them into your computer, giving them access to your system. Never pick up a free flash drive from somewhere that you didn’t get it yourself or that you don’t know how it got there.
4. Phishing Scams
Hackers use phishing scams to gain access to your private information by creating emails and websites designed to look like they come from genuine companies (banks, social networks, etc.) These emails often use official logos and copy to make them look real, but if you hover over the top of these logos, some may give away that they are fake because they have web addresses that have been created just for this purpose. You can learn more about what is whaling here for you to be more aware of phishing and whaling, as well as how to prevent these things from happening.
5. Weak Wi-Fi Networks
Weak wireless networks allow hackers to connect to them using “sniffing” technology which can then be used to see what’s inside the network (passwords, usernames, etc.). If you’re setting up a wireless network at home or at work, it’s important that you choose strong passwords and change these regularly. You should also set your router not to broadcast the SSID (which makes it easier for other people to find).
6. Fake Websites
Hackers often copy official websites and make small changes which involve creating fake login pages where users enter their details, but these are sent straight to the hacker instead of being sent securely to the original website. Make sure you always type in your address yourself and double-check the URL to ensure it is correct.
7. Weak Network Security
It’s important to make sure that network security is strong. Ensure all your networked devices (computers, network printers, etc.) are using the latest software and updates. To discover a network or computer vulnerability, get network penetration testing done at least every six months.
8. Malicious Software
Malicious software or malware can be installed on your system or network from clicking on an email attachment, visiting a website with it embedded, plugging in a malicious USB flash drive, and more. Make sure you never click on an email if you’re unsure of the sender and only visit websites that you know are genuine (or use a search engine to find what you’re looking for). To protect yourself further, install antivirus software with spam filtering.
9. Your Logins
It’s important to make sure you don’t give out your logins. Other websites are able to find them by looking through search engines or tracking cookies which are used by other sites to keep track of things that you’ve done. Make sure you always log out after using public computers and never leave your computer unattended.
10. Social Networks
Hackers sometimes set up fake social network profiles with the intention of learning more about people for their own personal gain (to use as marketing information, sell on, or just for fun). If someone contacts you asking for passwords or usernames – ignore them because they may be phishing for this information. Don’t post anything private online unless it can’t be found through simple searches.
The input talks about the ten security holes that you should be aware of when running your own company. They include weak wireless networks, fake websites, phishing scams, and more. It’s important to take these steps to protect yourself from hackers who can steal data or cause other damage. Be aware of these security holes to avoid being hacked.
