7 Tips for Keeping Your Sensitive Data Secure

Cloud Storage, Data Backup, Data Security, Ophtek, Password Security, Security, Updates, USB Flash Drives, , ,
13
Aug 2019

Data will always be one of the cornerstones of your business. But keeping this data secure in the 21st century is a big ask. So, how do you protect it?

A staggering amount of data is created every single day and your business will contribute to this with each order placed, every service request logged and all the mailing lists you create. Data such as this is sensitive and needs to be protected. If personal details are compromised then they can be used for fraudulent purposes. Your customers need to trust your organization to handle and protect their data correctly. But in a world full of hackers, malware and social engineering it can feel like an uphill struggle.

However, you can make a significant difference to your data protection. And it doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, you can elevate the security of your data quickly and effectively. All you have to do is follow our 7 tips for keeping your sensitive data secure.

  1. Use Cloud Storage

Individual PCs can become compromised by security breaches. And this means that the data stored on this hardware is up for grabs. But if this data is stored remotely it’s securer and less likely to be stolen. The perfect way to achieve this is by investing in remote cloud storage.

  1. Never Display Passwords

Passwords should never be displayed e.g. written on a Post-It note stuck to your monitor. Hackers don’t have to be external figures, they can easily be an internal threat. Therefore, create passwords which you can remember easily and don’t need to have visible reminders for.

  1. Make Sure Deleted Files are Overwritten

A deleted file isn’t necessarily deleted. And a hacker who knows what they’re doing can easily retrieve those files you thought were deleted for all eternity. But if these deleted files are overwritten enough times then you can make it impossible to retrieve them from your hard drive.

  1. Always Encrypt USB Sticks

USB sticks are useful for carrying around large amounts of data in a small space, but their small size means they’re easy to lose. Therefore, you should always ensure that data on these devices is encrypted and password protected.

  1. Install Anti-Malware Protection

You can never take enough precautions when it comes to data security, so anti-malware software should always form part of your strategy. Malware operates stealthily and can steal your data at a rapid pace. But with anti-malware protection in place you can reduce the risk of malware getting a foothold in your system.

  1. Always Install Updates

PC software and hardware is prone to security vulnerabilities. And these vulnerabilities give hackers the opportunity to access your systems and your data. Installing all updates at the earliest opportunity helps you to avoid having your systems and data compromised.

  1. Destroy Old Hard Drives

Technology advances at a rapid pace and PC hardware can soon become obsolete in the face of newer, faster technology. Hard drives are a case in point. But you need to make sure old hard drives are disposed of correctly. They contain a lot of data, so need to be thoroughly cleaned and then shredded to prevent any sensitive data being made available to external sources.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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What are Malicious Websites?

Adobe Flash, anti malware, Company Updates, Hackers, malicious code, malware, Ophtek, PC Security, Security, , , ,
06
Aug 2019

 

We visit websites on a daily basis, but how do we know how safe they are? No matter how genuine they look there’s every risk they’re a malicious website.

It’s estimated that up to 18.5 million websites are infected with malicious content. That’s around 1% of the total number of websites online. It may not sound a huge percentage, but it’s a percentage that could cause your business significant trouble.  And it’s a problem that most organizations aren’t entirely clear on. Malicious emails, for example, are well known due to the scare stories that flood our newsfeeds. But we’re less informed about malicious websites. And that’s what makes them dangerous.

However, if you’re able to understand the basics of a malicious website then you’re going to be in a much better position to avoid falling victim. So, what are malicious websites?

What is a Malicious Website?

A malicious website is like any other website on the internet: you connect to it with a browser. But if you dig a little deeper you’ll soon realize why it’s unlikely to become one of your favorite websites. The main objective of a malicious website is to install malware on to your PC. And, in most cases, it won’t even ask permission. The moment that you land on a malicious website is the moment that the malware starts downloading.

But why is a malicious website so misleading? Well, hackers are incredibly clever and they’re even more deceptive. That’s why they design malicious websites to look as genuine as possible. We, as humans, make quick decisions based on first impressions and, in this busy digital age, this is never truer than when online. Malicious websites take full advantage of this. And the false layer of trust that this engenders can soon lead to us clicking on links that we really shouldn’t.

How Do You Protect Yourself from Malicious Websites?

No one wants to fall victim to a malicious website. But, without a prior knowledge of how to protect yourself, this is difficult. Thankfully we’re here to make things easier. That’s why we’ve put together this amazing set of safety tips:

  • Always keep your software updated and install the latest patches as soon as possible. Malicious websites are often used to distribute malware that targets software vulnerabilities. With this updated protection in place you can minimize one of the main threats of malicious websites.
  • It’s vital that you never install any software you’re unfamiliar with. Malicious websites are sometimes courteous enough to ask permission before installing their malicious content. And it’s easy to click the Yes button just to clear the screen of yet another pop-up window. But it can spell disaster for your PC. Therefore, always read pop-up windows carefully and, if you don’t trust it, leave that website immediately.
  • If you’re sent a link to a website that’s unfamiliar then you shouldn’t click it. But you should do some research first. The best way to verify a mystery link is to type that link into the search box of a search engine. The results should soon highlight whether that web address is trustworthy or dangerous.
  • Install internet security software that can identify malicious websites before they’re loaded up. Knowledge of malicious websites can spread quickly and this has led to massive databases being created to help alert users to those that contain a threat.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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The Importance of an IT Induction in Business

Best Practices, Employee Training, IT Induction, IT Plan, Ophtek, Training, , ,
30
Jul 2019

Every business is unique. This is especially true when it comes to IT infrastructures. That’s why any new starters in your business need an IT induction.

It would be foolish to assume that a working knowledge of Microsoft Office is enough for a new employee to log on to your network. Each and every computer network differs in untold ways. And this means that new starters need to understand what they’re logging on to. Unfortunately, many organizations fail to grasp this fact. The end result is usually chaos and disruption.

A good IT induction can help your business avoid these setbacks by educating your employees on the best practices for your network. In particular, an IT induction can be used in the following ways:

  • Setting up Accounts: A new employee will need to create user accounts and passwords to access your network. During an induction you can take the employee through the account setup process and demonstrate how to log on correctly. There’s nothing worse for productivity than a locked user account, so it’s crucial that this process is thoroughly explained. And don’t forget to advise employees on the best password practices. 
  • Underline Your Policies: It’s important to set out your IT policies from the very start. For example, access to the internet for personal use may only be acceptable during breaks. And social media access may be completely restricted. Another key point to raise during the induction is your company’s policy on external devices. It’s increasingly popular for employees to bring their own devices to work in order to maximize productivity, but there’s also a major security risk with USB devices. An IT induction allows you to tackle this early on.
  • Educate on Cyber-Security: The threat of malware, ransomware and viruses isn’t unique to your business. However, the importance of good cyber-security needs to be established before a new employee logs on to your network. It may be that they’ve heard it all before, but a quick refresher is never going to harm anyone. Therefore, take the opportunity of an IT induction to go through the most common security threat. And, for extra assurance, invest in a training application which tests new employees’ aptitude with cyber-security. 
  • Highlight the Employee’s Duties: Every employee within your business should be expected to demonstrate a certain level of duty when it comes to your IT infrastructure. It’s vital that they understand what is and isn’t expected. For example, they should be expected to memorize their passwords rather than writing them on post-it notes and attaching them to their screen. However, they should not be expected to fix hardware issues – processes need to be set out on how employees escalate these issues to IT professionals. 

If you can establish a firm induction policy that covers all bases then you’re placing your business in a fantastic position. Not only can it help protect the security of your network, but it also allows you and your employees to get the best out of the network. And this can deliver a very welcome boost to productivity levels throughout your organization.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

 

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6 Reasons Why You Should Invest in Cyber Security

Cyber Attack, Cyber Security, Hackers, Hacking, malware, Ophtek, Password Security, PC Security, Secure Website, Security, Security Threats, , , ,
23
Jul 2019

Cyber-attacks are on the rise, so protecting your business has never been more important. But what exactly are the benefits of cyber security?

We all know about the need for firewalls and anti-virus software. They provide us with a layer of defense from the legions of hackers itching to access our data. Those who are new to the world of IT, however, are unlikely to know why they need cyber security. What can it deliver? Well, let’s run through six reasons why you should invest in cyber security:

  1. Protects Your Data: Businesses work with huge amounts of data in the 21st And, whether its employee or customer data, it’s going to be sensitive. This needs to be protected to prevent identity theft or financial damage. A professional approach to cyber security will reduce this threat and protect the integrity of you data. 
  1. Maintains Productivity: While the headlines regarding cyber-attacks always focus on data and costs, they fail to look at the impact on productivity. If, for example, a ransomware attack hits your network then critical files are going to be out of action. This means that your employees will be unable to work. And the impact that this can have on your organization’s productivity can be devastating. 
  1. Financial Damage: Cyber-attacks can hit a company where it hurts: the bank balance. Ransomware demands are, naturally, the most obvious cause of financial distress, but there are others. A drop in productivity can soon lead to a drop in sales which can significantly impact your revenue streams. And there’s also the chance that irreparable damage could be caused to your hardware resulting in the need for new purchases. 
  1. Protects Your Website: One of the cornerstones of a successful marketing strategy in the 21st century is a website. Whether it’s being used to promote your services or sell them it needs to be running 24/7. It’s a crucial communication channel, but it’s also one that’s regularly targeted by hackers. With the correct level of investment in cyber security you can limit the risk of it being compromised. This keeps your website running and ensures that your marketing strategies can run smoothly. 

  1. Keeps Malware Out: Malicious software, better known as malware, is the bane of all security professionals. Capable of causing massive damage to IT infrastructures, malware is a form of hacking which embraces subterfuge and results in untold problems for the victims. It can steal data, it can slow down systems and even set up attacks on other businesses. But if you invest in cyber security then then the chances of malware activating its payload is reduced. 
  1. Provides Customer Confidence: Consumers are wary of data security more than ever in the digital age. Therefore, inspiring trust in your IT systems is essential. If you can demonstrate that you’re working with professionals to protect your customers’ data then you can inspire this trust. Not only will you be able to protect your customer’s data, but you will enhance their loyalty to your brand.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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What Can the Cloud Do for Your Business?

Backup, Backup Strategies, Cloud, Cloud Backup, Cloud Storage, Data Backup, data recovery, Data Storage, Ophtek, , , ,
16
Jul 2019

 

Around 77% of businesses work with cloud computing in at least one respect. Clearly it’s an important tool, but what can the cloud do for your business?

Cloud computing has been steadily transforming the way we work for the last decade. And it’s crucial that your business gets on board. We live in competitive times and even the tiniest of edges can have a significant impact on performance. But what can you use the cloud for? And how can it transform your business? These are good questions and ones that you need to know the answers to.

To help you understand how you can harness the power of the cloud we’re going to demonstrate what it can do.

How Can You Use the Cloud?

Despite the complexities behind the infrastructure, cloud computing is a relatively simple concept. The cloud is a digital infrastructure which is available to multiple users over the internet. It’s your existing physical network, but transcribed into binary code. And, thanks to the possibilities of the internet, it can be connected to from anywhere in the world.

Cloud computing has been a revolution in business computing. It’s a methodology which brings a seemingly endless series of benefits to its users. And who wouldn’t want to sign up to that? But what exactly can the cloud do for you? Let’s take a look:

  • Remote Working: Physical space within organizations is a valuable commodity. However, employees take up a lot of physical space. And this can lead to a lack of space for stock and equipment. But the flexibility offered by the cloud solves this problem. As long as an employee has an internet connection they can connect to your infrastructure from wherever they way. This setup grants you the opportunity to maximize the space you have and offer more flexible working conditions to your employees. 
  • Data Storage: A lot of data is currently stored in the cloud and this amount is set to skyrocket over the next few years. It’s a modern phenomenon of data storage and one that is vastly different to past methods. Previously the norm had been to archive endless optical media and record data to huge hard drives. While this provided an immediate source of data for organizations it was all rather fiddly and bulky. Cloud computing consigns this to the past. And it does this by allowing you to store huge amounts of data in remote data centers which is instantly accessible. 
  • Shared Data: We’ve all experienced the pain of a lengthy download time. But now there’s no need to be frustrated. The cloud has seriously updated data sharing for the 21st Now you can back your data up to hard drives on the cloud and provide instant access to whoever needs it. All you need to do is send them a link and the data will be readily available. And, without having to sit through an agonizingly slow download, the recipient can become more productive. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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