It’s always important to be safe when online, however, with the surge of employees transitioning over to working from home (due to the COVID-19 virus), we figured a few extra IT support tips (aka reminders) could be helpful. And why not make it fun by sharing a few IT secrets too! Technology is a playground for hackers and the more access you give them the more they like to play. Make sure you’re not giving hackers too much access to your technology. Here are a few reminders on how to stay safe and not fall victim to a cyber attack.
Check out below our IT support tips and the secrets we reveal.
IT Security Tip #1: Do You Enter Your PIN when you use your debit card?
We live in a mostly cashless society these days. Our parents wouldn’t have ever thought to pay for a $1.50 cup of coffee with plastic; now it’s commonplace. How you swipe that plastic, though, makes a big difference in how you are protected from your neighborhood cyber thief.
If you enter your PIN when you run a debit card transaction, STOP! SECRET REVEALED! >> Run the card as credit. Not only will you not have to enter the PIN, you’ll almost always get more antifraud protection should you have a problem with a purchase or if the card number is stolen. In addition, always use the card as credit when shopping online, out of town on vacation or business, or when making large purchases.
Running your transaction through the credit card network instead of the bank network offers these additional protections – plus it’s faster!
IT Security Tip #2: Don’t Just Throw Out That Old Computer
Getting rid of old computers or servers? Did you know that the components used in technology equipment are not landfill-safe? On top of the environmental hazards, unprotected e-waste typically contains a lot of confidential and private information in the form of saved passwords, Internet history and files left on the retired computer or server.
As a first prevention step, find a local recycling facility where e-waste can be safely disposed of. SECRET REVEALED! >> And make sure to take the following #1 security precaution before you haul it off: remove and destroy the hard drives. A drill and hammer usually do the trick just fine. Alternatively, many companies that shred paper documents will also destroy your hard drives.
Don’t forget other e-waste such as mobile phones, copy machines and any other device that ever touched your company data. Give serious thought to what data is on any device before you recycle it.
IT Security Tip #3: Do You Allow Guests to Access Your WiFi Network?
Do you have guest access on your company WiFi network? Or do you simply give out the same password that your employees use? If you give out your password, you’re practically opening the door for anyone to come in and steal private information, infect your private computers and even steal customer credit card data if you are processing them over the same Internet connection.
SECRET REVEALED! >> The key to providing free guest WiFi access is in segregation and security. Your WiFi guests need to be completely isolated and segregated from your private network. Your guests should not be able to reach your internal computer network, credit card terminals or other network-connected devices.
IT Security Tip #4: How to keep staff from unintentionally causing a security breach
With so many access points, from cell phones to laptop and home computers, how can anyone hope to keep their network safe from hackers, viruses and other unintentional security breaches? The answer is not “one thing” but a series of things you have to implement and constantly be vigilant about, such as installing and constantly updating your firewall, antivirus, spam-filtering software and backups. This is why clients hire us – it’s a full-time job for someone with specific expertise (which we have!).
Once that basic foundation is in place, the next most important thing you can do is create an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and TRAIN your employees on how to use company devices and other security protocols, such as never accessing company e-mail, data or applications with unprotected home PCs and devices (for example). Also, how to create good passwords, how to recognize a phishing e-mail, what websites to never access, etc. SECRET REVEALED! >> NEVER assume your employees know everything they need to know about IT security. Threats are ever-evolving and attacks are getting more sophisticated and clever by the minute.
If you’re a SDTEK client, we got you covered. If not, please contact us today to learn more about our IT support services. We can help create a secure IT environment for you and your employees.
For more IT support tips and secrets revealed, visit our Fall Edition by clicking here.
SDTEK is a top rated IT support company servicing San Diego county. We are a creative managed it service provider who specializes in personalized technology support to help our clients accelerate the success and growth of their business.
