How to Prevent Data Breaches

Today’s digital world requires more cybersecurity precautions than ever. With the risk of data breaches, corporations must not only protect their company data but the personal information of their employees and customers. 

Cybercriminals seek unauthorized entry points into a corporation’s database in order to access sensitive data like passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal information in order to commit identity theft and/or use the information for fraud purposes.

What kind of vulnerabilities do hackers look for?

Outdated Software

Out-of-date software can lead to more vulnerable web pages that hackers can access. 

Phishing Emails

Phishing emails can look like a normal email sent by someone trustworthy. Scammers can impersonate your boss, coworkers, or clients by using fake email addresses, changing the display of their name, using commonly known email signatures, and other deceitful tactics. 

Once the scammer gains your trust enough for you to open the email, they may include unsafe attachments or links that lead to users accidentally downloading a virus or malware onto their corporate system which can cause a breach. 

Weak Passwords

According to a study performed by Verizon Data Breach Investigations, 81% of all data breaches are caused by weak passwords that are compromised. 

While many are aware that using simple passwords can come with a large share of risks, many continue to use simple credentials for the sake of convenience. 

How to Protect Your Data

Keep up with your software to ensure all security issues are up to date. If you don’t have an in-house IT department to keep track of all system updates, consider utilizing an MSP service to get the most out of your equipment. 

Utilize spam filters for your corporate email and educate your employees on how to identify potential phishing scams. Oftentimes, something as simple as double-checking the sender’s email address can help reveal a fraudulent sender. 

Educate employees on good password habits and avoid using simple passwords that can be easily guessed. Use a password generator and create a password that will be hard to crack. Avoid using personal passwords when possible to prevent data breaches from accessing any personal information. 

To learn more about Utility Telecom’s MSP services, give us a call at 1.877.965.7800.