5 Common Online Security Mistakes To Avoid 

Over the years, many businesses have replaced traditional practices with online alternatives to increase efficiency. As a result, it’s become extremely rare for businesses to operate offline through physical files. Video chats have even replaced in-person meetings over lockdown.

A programmer is typing a code on a computer to protect cybersecurity from hacker attacks and save clients’ confidential data. Padlock Hologram icons over the typing hands. Formal wear.

Now that the majority of organizations operate digitally, stringent online security has never been more crucial to deter hackers. Yet, many companies are still vulnerable to cybercrime.

According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2021, four in ten businesses reported having cybersecurity breaches or attacks in the last 12 months. The research also revealed that only 35% of companies were deploying security monitoring tools, decreasing from 40% the previous year.

Falling victim to cyber threats can hugely impact a business’s reputation and finances. To reduce the risk, here are five common online security mistakes to avoid making.

Not updating software

Software updates often include patches to security holes, so continuously delaying them can leave your device vulnerable to hacking.

Instead of ignoring the reminder, schedule the update for a time when you’re least busy or, if possible, set it to update automatically.

Weak password protection

There are many mistakes involving password protection that people often make, including:

• Using the same password for everything
• Using common and predictable passwords, e.g. ‘1234.’
• Failing to incorporate uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Recycling old passwords
• Saving passwords in computer settings

Creating unique passwords for your logins is critical, but you also need further protection. Implementing two-factor authentication or using a password management platform will heighten your online security.

Not hiring an IT specialist

As a way to cut costs, some businesses delegate online security duties to their existing staff members with differing specialisms rather than recruiting somebody skilled in IT.

Without the necessary expertise and experience, it’s unlikely that you’ll sufficiently protect your business from cybercrime or spot security threats without having somebody focussing on IT.

Alternatively, you could outsource the responsibilities to an IT support company. For example, Custard Technical Services provide a range of IT support to businesses around the UK, including backup and disaster recovery, network security, and email and spam protection.

Clicking suspicious links

Scam emails are becoming more common and realistic, making it easy for employees to click on a suspicious link without realizing they’re providing fraudsters with sensitive information.

Ensure staff is aware of the common signs of scam emails, including:

• Incorrect spelling and grammar
• an unusual email address not matching the company it’s spoofing
• an impersonal greeting
• poor-quality branding
• inaccurate information (e.g., regarding recent purchase)

If you aren’t sure the email is legitimate, avoid clicking any links and contact the company through other means to check, such as calling them on the phone number from the official website.

Using public Wi-Fi

With home working becoming more common in the last year, employees may opt for working in cafes on some days. However, accessing public Wi-Fi to complete work duties can leave the device extremely susceptible to hacking due to a lack of security.

To keep your devices protected when using public Wi-Fi, enable a VPN which encrypts your data, making it unreadable to anybody without the decryption key.

Avoiding these common mistakes will reduce the risk of succumbing to cybercrime, but it doesn’t remove the threat entirely. In case the worst-case scenario occurs, you need to prepare your company to minimize the long-term damage.