Tips to avoid being hacked

The recent cyber-attacks on Australian government organisations and businesses were a good reminder to make sure you’re following proper security precautions so you and your organisation stay protected online.

Your company’s IT team is no doubt on top of protecting your networks and systems, but there’s one potential weak link in the organisation that you have control of – you.

Here are some tips on day-to-day security practices to follow that in our experience will minimise the risk of being hacked or having your identity stolen.

Be careful with emails from people and organisations you don’t know

Phishing emails are a very common hacking method. They appear to be from trusted sources and have the goal of gaining personal information or influencing you to do something that will allow the hackers access to your network. If you’re unsure about an email, don’t click on any links and ask your IT team to take a look.

Proper password management

It’s very important to use strong passwords and to not use the same passwords for multiple logins. If you use the same password for everything, if a hacker discovers your login for one platform it means they gain access to every platform you use. Using a password manager like Lastpass or 1Password is a good idea.

2-step verification

We often have a lot of personal information in our email accounts that we don’t even realise is there. If someone gained access to your email account, it could be all they need to access other important accounts, such as social media or bank accounts. Consider using 2-Step verification on your personal email account for increased security.

Keep software up to date

Software updates often contain important security patches that remove vulnerabilities. It’s important to update your phone and computer software regularly to make sure you stay protected.

If you’re ever unsure about something, speak to your IT team

If you’re at all unsure about whether your following the right security practices or if you discover something suspicious – talk to your IT team. They will be able to give you the best advice to make sure you and your organisation stay protected.