Cyber Security Basics: Simple Ways to Harden Your Digital Presence
Cybersecurity isn’t just an issue for large corporations. Small businesses, sole traders and everyday website owners can also be targets for compromised passwords, phishing attacks, website breaches and account takeovers.
The good news is that improving your security doesn’t necessarily require an expensive enterprise security system. A few basic practices can significantly strengthen your digital presence.
1. Stop Reusing Passwords
Using the same password across multiple accounts creates a major security risk. If one service is compromised, attackers may try those same login details across your email, website, social media and other accounts.
Use a reputable password manager to generate and securely store long, unique passwords for every important account.
2. Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of protection beyond your password.
Even if someone obtains your password, they will still need the additional authentication method to access your account.
Prioritise MFA for:
- Email accounts
- Website administration
- Domain and hosting accounts
- Social media
- Cloud storage
- Banking and payment platforms
3. Keep Everything Updated
Outdated software can contain known security vulnerabilities.
Keep your operating system, browser, website software, plugins and applications updated. For WordPress websites, regularly review WordPress core, themes and plugins rather than allowing an old website to sit untouched for years.
Remove plugins, applications and user accounts you no longer need as well.
4. Protect Your Email Account
Your email account is effectively the key to your digital identity.
Password resets for websites, social media, hosting platforms and other services are often delivered through email. If somebody gains control of your email account, they may be able to reset passwords and gain access to other services.
Use a unique password, enable MFA and regularly review unfamiliar login activity.
5. Back Up Important Data
Security isn’t only about preventing an attack. It’s also about being able to recover from one.
Maintain regular backups of your website, important business files and other critical information. Ideally, don’t keep every backup in the same location as the original data.
A backup that has never been tested isn’t much of a backup either. Periodically, make sure your important files can actually be restored.
6. Be Suspicious of Unexpected Messages
Phishing remains one of the simplest ways to compromise an account.
Be cautious when an unexpected email or message asks you to:
- Log in to an account
- Reset a password
- Download an attachment
- Make an urgent payment
- Provide personal information
Instead of immediately clicking the supplied link, open the organisation’s website yourself and check the request independently.
7. Know What You Have Online
You can’t secure something you’ve forgotten exists.
Keep track of your domains, websites, email accounts, hosting services, social media profiles, cloud storage and business software.
Delete old accounts when they’re no longer required and regularly review who has access to important systems.
Cyber Security Starts With the Basics
You don’t need to become a cyber security expert to make yourself a considerably harder target.
Strong unique passwords, MFA, regular updates, backups and some healthy scepticism towards unexpected messages provide a solid security foundation.
Think of cybersecurity like locking up your business at the end of the day. No single lock guarantees that nothing will ever happen, but leaving every door unlocked certainly makes things easier for the wrong person.
Harden your digital presence before somebody else tests it for you.