Staying completely secure online is becoming increasingly difficult these days, with the number of devices, services and internet providers we encounter each day. Whether it’s through using unsecure connections on public Wi-Fi or fielding potential threats in your inbox, cybersecurity threats are everywhere.

So what can you do about them? In an era where our digital footprint can reveal far more than we may want, keeping secure online can seem like a tall order. We share our top tips on keeping the hackers at bay.

Replace old technology

Sure, you’ve had a desktop for eight years and it still ‘does the trick’ in terms of what you need from it. But is it secure? Not likely. There isn’t likely to be security software that you can install that would actually protect older legacy machines, so it may be time to part with yours in favour of a faster and more secure machine.

Avoid using email for sensitive information

Of course, this is difficult to avoid in some circumstances, but because email is a common target for hacking and phishing scams [LINK TO: phishing blog] think twice before sending sensitive information via email, at least in its complete form.

Forget your passwords

We’re all guilty of using the same password for multiple services, even if we change the capital letter or add a number. The thing is, if one account gets hacked it can be relatively easy for a hacker to gain access to the rest of your accounts. Consider using a password manager to keep your online accounts more secure.

Consider multi-factor authentication

There are so many easy ways to verify your identity, and MFA works by sending a code to a registered phone number or email address. If someone figured out your password, they would still need your phone to gain access to your accounts, making MFA a very easy and secure method of logging into your daily accounts – social media, online banking and email, for example.

These suggestions can make your online experience much safer and secure, and some services take as little as 15 minutes to set up. It’s worthwhile considering if you haven’t already set up the right measures to avoid identity theft, email hacks or sensitive information leaking.

As security is a growing concern for businesses, do you know if you’re doing enough to pre-empt potential attacks? Contact us for a free IT audit today.