6 Cybersecurity Mistakes You’ve Likely Made Today and How to Avoid Them

Imagine for a minute that it’s 20 years from now. You’re sitting on a beach, enjoying your retirement. Suddenly, you get a call from your old boss. There’s been a data breach at the company, and your personal information has been compromised.

You panic as you think of all the ways this could ruin your life. Your credit card information could be stolen, your identity could be taken, and your reputation could be damaged. This one phone call has ruined your perfect day.

Now imagine that it’s not 20 years from now, but today. And you’re not retired, but hard at work trying to grow your business. A data breach can happen to any business, at any time. In fact, according to a recent study, 43 percent of businesses have experienced a data breach in the last year.

Data breaches are becoming more common, and they’re only going to get worse. Cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated, and businesses are becoming more reliant on technology.

To make matters worse, many businesses are making cybersecurity mistakes that leave them vulnerable to attack. If you’re not careful, you could be the next victim of a data breach.

Here are six cybersecurity mistakes you’ve likely made today, and how to avoid them:

1. Not Updating Your Software Regularly

One of the most common cybersecurity mistakes is failing to update your software on a regular basis. Software updates usually include security patches that can help protect your computer from malware and other threats. So, if you’re not updating your software regularly, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to attack.

2. Reusing Passwords

Another mistake people make is using the same password for multiple accounts. If a hacker manages to get hold of your password, they’ll be able to access all of your accounts. So, it’s important to use a different password for each of your online accounts.

3. Clicking on Links in Email Messages

Another common cybersecurity mistake is clicking on links in email messages, especially if the message is from someone you don’t know. These links could take you to websites that contain malware or try to trick you into divulging personal information. So, it’s best to exercise caution when clicking on links in email messages.

4. Downloading Attachments From Email Messages

Similarly, another mistake people make is downloading attachments from email messages without first scanning them for malware. These attachments could contain viruses or other malicious code that could infect your computer. So, it’s important to only download attachments from sources that you trust.

5. Browsing the Web Without Protection

Another common cybersecurity mistake is browsing the web without protection. If you’re not using a firewall or antivirus software, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to attack. So, it’s important to make sure you have a good firewall and antivirus program installed on your computer.

6. Not Backing Up Your Data

Finally, another mistake people make is not backing up their data regularly. If your computer is attacked by malware or crashes, you could lose all of your important files. So, it’s important to back up your data regularly to avoid losing anything important.

These are just some of the cybersecurity mistakes you might be making. By avoiding these mistakes, you can help protect yourself from attack. If you suspect your computer has been infected with malware, it’s important to seek professional help to remove the malware and protect your data. ITS Group can help you protect your business with their dedicated network security and backup systems. For more information, contact them at (941) 727-4487 today to learn more.