How to Protect Yourself From Hackers

With the holiday season in full gear, cybercriminals will ramp up their attacks as there are more potential victims and transactions to target. Hackers operate anywhere they find opportunities for an attack. They target businesses and individuals with the aim of gaining unauthorized access to the victim’s system.

How Hackers Find Victims
If your computer is connected to the internet you are a potential target for cybercriminals who are constantly searching for systems to compromise. Even if your system is offline, it could be infected via USB devices.

Hackers gain access to victims’ computers through deceit and exploit of security vulnerabilities.

They typically use phishing scams such as spam emails and malicious websites to infect the victim’s system in order to install malware and steal personal data.

Staying Safe Online

1. Install Antivirus Software
Modern computer malware have several harmful features that can be used to infiltrate and control remote computers.

Antivirus software can help you protect your devices from malicious software by blocking them before they get into your system or disrupting their operations.

Advanced antivirus software uses multiple ways of detecting malware including checking their runtime behavior and blocking harmful processes. Without an antivirus on a computer, malware can stay hidden for a long time without the user knowing.

2. Use Firewalls
Leaving your computer connected to the internet without a firewall is an open invitation for hackers. A firewall can help block unauthorized access to your network. Operating systems usually come preinstalled with a firewall. Ensure that your computer and network firewalls are fully enabled and functional.

You may also install an advanced custom firewall solution to improve your network’s security.

3. Use Secure Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication

Simple passwords are easy to remember but they are also easy to crack by hackers.

Complex passwords should be used for all accounts. The passwords should be very long with combinations of characters including alphabet, numbers, and special characters.

Passwords should be changed in regular intervals and should never be reused for more than one account. This is to protect you in case one of your accounts gets compromised.

In addition, two-factor authentication should be activated for all accounts. This will prevent account takeover if your password gets stolen or cracked.

4. Regularly Update OS, Applications, and Browsers
As security holes are blocked, hackers research new means of getting past security tools and processes. Hence, system security could get old quickly.

You must keep your OS and Applications up-to-date to stay safe from hackers.
Browsers need special attention paid to their updates and security settings as they are a common way through which hackers compromise the victim’s system.

5. Install Anti-Spyware Tools
Spyware is designed to be stealthy and is hard to detect by regular antivirus. You need to install specialized anti-spyware software to quickly identify, block, and remove spyware from your devices.

6. Avoid Public free Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is a convenient choice for people to easily connect but it is inherently insecure. A hacker can easily join such networks or create a fake access point in order to snoop on the internet traffic of unsuspecting victims for credentials and personal information.

If you must use public Wi-Fi, it should be combined with a secure VPN to protect your browser data and personal information.

7. Keep Your Devices Locked and Encrypted
Devices get lost or stolen every now and then. If they are not properly secured with strong lock and encryption, hackers can easily breach and extract sensitive information if they get their hands on it.

8. Scrutinize Links and Attachments
A lot of hacking attacks occur through malicious links that are delivered via email, SMS, or websites.

These links are carefully crafted by malicious actors so that visiting them can cause infection of the target system in order to directly steal personal information or install malware.

Also, email attachments can be faked to look like legitimate documents when they actually contain malicious code which would execute when opened.

9. Keep Sensitive Information on Devices you Own
A third-party provider should not be blindly trusted with sensitive business and personal information.

If you plan on storing sensitive information on infrastructures you don’t own, ensure they are securely encrypted first so they become useless to data thieves if there is a breach.

10. Turn off Features You Don’t Need
Some features on computers and mobile devices make them more vulnerable to hacking. Turn off Remote Desktop, Bluetooth, and GPS if they are not in use.

Keeping your system and mobile devices safe should be a top priority as the consequences of a hack can be devastating on an individual as well as business. By combining the tools recommended above and following security best practices you will keep your computer and network safe from hackers.

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.
April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.