Picture this: you stumble upon a stray USB stick in your office restroom. The question is, would you risk connecting it to your computer to peek into its content? This scenario highlights one of the cunning strategies cybercriminals employ, exploiting our natural curiosity to breach security systems and pave the way for cyber attacks.
A surprising 95 per cent of cybersecurity breaches arise from human error. This could be due to overlooking software security updates or using weak passwords. Such oversights can have severe consequences, from personal information theft to significant revenue losses for businesses.
Bruce Schneier, a recognized authority on computer privacy, noted two decades ago on his blog, “Only amateurs attack machines; professionals target people.” Schneier’s view indicates the importance of the human element in cyber breaches, often considered as “the most insecure interface on the Internet.”
Fear not, though. Claudette McGowan, CEO of Protexxa, a Toronto-based cybersecurity firm that leverages artificial intelligence for data protection, shares some actionable steps to enhance your digital safety:
Maintain Privacy on Social Media Accounts ‘Spear phishing’ involves cybercriminals tailoring attacks based on publicly accessible posts. By setting your social media accounts to private, you reduce your exposure to such threats.
Abandon Predictable Passwords McGowan advises against easily guessable passwords and advocates for password managers like 1Password or NordPass to maintain unique and robust passwords across different platforms.
Turn On Multi-Factor or Two-Step Authentication In the event of your password getting hacked, having a secondary authentication method, such as an authenticator app, is crucial for added security.
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Stay Updated with Software One of the main reasons for data breaches is ignoring software updates, which leaves systems susceptible to hackers. Promptly updating your software – ideally within 24 hours of a notification – is crucial, says McGowan.
Prepare for Cybercrime Cybercrime is not a question of ‘if’, but ‘when’, particularly for small businesses and nonprofits. Therefore, it’s imperative for all members of an organization to stay vigilant, report any suspicious activities, and continually enhance their cyber literacy.
McGowan believes in a collective effort to bolster cybersecurity. “We have the potential to be the most cyber-literate nation globally,” she states, “But it starts with each one of us.”
- Cyber Literacy
- Spear Phishing
- Two-Step Authentication
- Software Updates
- Cybercrime Preparedness