CYBERSECURITY: DEFINED AND DETAILED

Realizing the vulnerabilities of working from home for both ourselves and our customers can help us reduce the chances of experiencing a Virtual Pandemic from Cyber-attacks. To help with spreading preventive measures and knowledge we would like to bring to you a few points and thoughts about this ever-growing field of vulnerability in our daily lives. Thanks to today’s viral Pandemic we now understand the many complexities of working from home, hopefully with a little knowledge you can ensure this experience is as painless and enjoyable as possible. Please Note we do not promise a cure for Cabin Fever!

• Data breaches exposed 4.1 billion records in the first half of 2019.
• 71% of breaches were financially motivated and 25% were motivated by espionage.
• The top malicious email attachment types Microsoft WORD(.doc) & TEMPLATE(.dot) Documents which make up 37%, the next highest is APPLICTION or EXECUTABLE (.exe) files at 19.5%.
• 94% of “Malware” was delivered by email
  • “Malware” is the general term covering all the different types of threats to your computer safety such as viruses, spyware, worms, trojans, rootkits and so on.
• 1 in 13 web requests lead to malware

Cyber security refers to the body of technologies, processes, and practices designed to protect networks, devices, programs, and data from attack, damage, or unauthorized access. In other words, Cyber Security is the Alarm System, guard dog, window bars and steel doors for your house; but remember it only works when it is there and setup, and used correctly.

Here are some simple do’s and don’ts while working from home:

• Do not open any emails from untrusted sources.Contact a friend or family member in person or by phone if you receive a suspicious email message from them.
• Do not give offers from strangers the benefit of the doubt.If they seem too good to be true, they probably are. For example, emails offering incredible deals like free top end TV’s/Laptops/NEW CAR just to “click here” or websites offering impossible goods like a NEW ROLEX watch just to take a survey, should not be trusted; especially if they do NOT come from a reputable retailer.  Remember do NOT accept Candy from strangers!!!
• Lock your laptop, disconnect VPN’s(Virtual Private Network’s) or direct connection into your office, whenever you are away from your workstation for any length of time, even at home.
• Purchase anti-virus software.No anti-virus solution can defend against every threat that seeks to jeopardize users’ information, but they can help protect against some.
• Read your company’s privacy policy before letting anyone see your PC at home.
• Ensure the security of your machine. When not in use turn it off.

• Purchase Anti-Virus, Anti-Malware, Firewall Software such as Norton or McAfee.
• Create complex passwords to add layers of protection to your account. If you have too many, consider a password vault.
  • Bad: Purple123
  • Good: Pe1492(&)123
• Make sure your wireless network is secure. Make sure you have a complex Wi-Fi password using WPA2 Encryption. WPA2 is a type of security built into your router and is set when you create the WIFI Password, like choosing a Steel reinforced Deadbolt lock over a wooden latch with no lock to lock your front door.

To close, think of your PC as your House in the internet, just like your real house you want to keep it safe for you and your family. In real life you do all kinds of annoying things to keep your home secure and safe using Locks, Security systems, guard dogs (Chihuahua’s Count), and making sure your house is locked up when you are away. Treat your PC the same way, because in today’s world your PC can be even more valuable than your house as it holds ALL of your most private and personal information.

Written by: Chris Hammett, PrimeroEdge Expert Care Specialist