Each year in October, national and local governments, industry leaders, and individual businesses come together to raise awareness about the dangers faced by internet users each and every day. Cyber threats are a very real problem, and they include everything from identity theft to financial setbacks, and in some cases, people have even faced threats to their personal health and safety. So, in the spirit of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, here are a few basic security considerations to keep in mind:

  • Take control of your privacy and security settings. This applies to everything from social media privacy settings to the security settings on your new laptop. No service or device offers “out of the box” security. You have to check your settings and ensure that they are as secure as they should be. In the case of a new computer or mobile device, you may also want to speak with an IT professional about installing additional software to protect you from common cyber threats.
  • Think before you share or connect. Your device will ask you all sorts of questions. Would you like to connect to this unsecured wireless network? Would you like to accept this stranger’s friend request? Should we allow this website to access your location? The list goes on. Don’t get into the habit of automatically clicking “okay.” Think about what you’re allowing before you grant those permissions.
  • Keep your software up to date. Don’t let your antivirus program and malware protection expire. Keeping your data safe and protecting your device from infection are both worth the time, effort, and minimal expense. If you’re not sure what level of security you need or which program is best for you, give us a call. We would be happy to help you and your business maintain optimal cyber security, now and in the future.

Another key point to keep in mind is that many platforms today offer what is known as “two-factor authentication,” which requires you to confirm access in two places in order to enhance your account security. When you see the opportunity to turn on two-factor authentication, take it! It could make all the difference, should a hacker ever target any sensitive account information.

If you are struggling with cybersecurity in the workplace, contact us today for a consultation. Our Chicago IT consultants will help you optimize your infrastructure, create workplace policies that are easy to implement and enforce, train your employees in IT security best practices, and more.