Let?s face it, it?s not always easy to come up with a unique password every time we want to sign up for something new. In most cases, people tend to just go with something simple and easy to remember, such as their birthday or hometown. What we don?t realize is that these accounts all tend to connect to the same email address; the one you use for all your online shopping, banking, and all your social media sites. If a hacker managed to get their hands on your password, it likely means they?ll have access to all accounts connected with it. Here are a few tips that will help strengthen your passwords and keep your personal data safe. Easy to Remember, But Only for You Losing a password can lead to a very frustrating recovery process, and in some cases, it can mean the loss of access to an account entirely. This idea often pushes people to create something easy to remember so they don?t have to worry about being unable to login. However, passwords that are easy to remember are often also easy to guess, especially if it?s information that can be found on social media. In order to create a secure password, you?ll want to think of something only you would know. One trick you can use is two combine two important things, such as your favorite sports team and the year you graduated. It?s also suggested that you use a mix of capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Using a Password Manager Just because you may strong password doesn?t mean that your accounts aren?t in danger, especially if you have a ?one-password-fits-all? situation. Using the same password for multiple accounts creates a link between those accounts that can easily be infiltrated by a skilled hacker. Instead, try to create a variety of different strong passwords that you can use. Using a password manager is a great way to help you keep track of all your credentials, while keeping your sensitive data away from hackers. Two-Factor Authentication In wake of the rise of cyber-attacks in recent years, many companies are now looking to beef up their online security using two-factor authentication methods. These services require users not only to input their account information, but also a second form of authentication that the user must acknowledge before they are given access to an account. This is often carried out over a connected mobile phone or email address, which the user has validated as their own. Having issue managing all your accounts? Contact Info Advantage today at (585) 254-8710 to learn about how we can help take some of the stress out of your network management.
If your business is still on the fence about the cloud, you should make up your mind soon. The cloud is an investment that can help your business improve operations, cut costs, and boost productivity. It?s inevitable that most businesses will use the cloud, so it?s not a question of if, but when. Why not take this opportunity to get a head start on your competition with a cloud computing solution?
Think about how many emails you write a day, transferring messages back and forth between coworkers, clients, partners, and anyone else you may need to share information with. Now, how many of them can you say for sure were secure and protected from the prying hands of a hacker? Many employees assume that their email is secure, and can become very comfortable with sending potentially sensitive information through their work email app. This misconception of safety can result in data leaks, unauthorized data access, and invasion of you company?s network. Here are a few tips to ensure that any and all emails being sent out are safe from unwanted intruders. Encryption One of the major issues with email is how it is delivered to the recipient. Even though the information might be protected by an internal server, once the email leaves that server it may be at risk while traveling the public internet. However, an encrypted email will be protected even after it leaves a secure network. Encryption works by allowing you to create an identity verification between sender and recipient. Those without an approved cipher will be unable to read the email, or know where the information is being sent from. This is one of the best ways to ensure that the only people who can access sensitive information are those who the data is intended for. Separate Accounts Typically, people tend to try and stick to one email account when signing up for new things. In many cases, employees may use their work email to sign up for personal accounts on the internet. As a result, their inboxes become flooded with marketing information from various websites and stores. Not only does this mean a likely increase in phishing or scamming attacks, but it also means that an attack on your email may put more than just an employee?s personal data in danger. By separating your email accounts, you will boost your security and be able to manage sensitive data much more carefully. Stronger Passwords While this may seem like a given, there are many email accounts that have surprisingly predictable passwords. This includes simple codes ?123456,? ?qwerty,? or even ?password.? Even if your password is a bit more secure, you may be surprised how easy it can be to guess the things you may think no one will know, such as a birthday or maiden name. Instead of making something easy to remember (and easy to guess,) try creating a password with a mixture of upper and lower case, letter, and symbols. Try to avoid using the exact same password for each account just in case. This will ensure your other accounts are safe if one gets hacked. Watch Out for Email Phishing Phishing is one of the most common types of scams, and are constantly improving in order to trick email users into giving up their personal information. A phishing scam is where a hacker sends a user an email claiming to be a representative from a well-known organization, such as Facebook or Amazon. Typically, they try to convince the user that there is an issue with the users account, and ask them to provide their login credentials to fix the issue. Remember, no company should ever ask for your password or any personal information, especially not […]