In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide quick answers to key questions about cyber security awareness tips. Cyber security awareness is critical for organizations and individuals to protect themselves from cyber threats. The 6 main tips for better cyber security awareness include: keeping software up-to-date, using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, avoiding phishing scams, practicing safe browsing, and backing up data regularly.
Why is cyber security awareness important?
Cyber security awareness is important because cyber threats are growing rapidly. A 2022 survey by Tenable found that 97% of organizations had suffered a cyber attack in the past 12 months. Meanwhile, a 2021 report by Purplesec found that 90% of cyber attacks start with human error. Cyber criminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit human weakness and gain access to sensitive systems and data. That’s why ongoing education and vigilance are essential. Cyber security awareness empowers individuals and organizations to identify risks and make smarter decisions online to better protect themselves.
What are some common cyber threats?
Some of the most common cyber threats include:
- Phishing – Fraudulent emails or websites that trick users into revealing passwords or sensitive information
- Malware – Malicious software like viruses, worms, and spyware that infect devices
- Ransomware – Malware that encrypts files until a ransom is paid
- Social engineering – Manipulating people into sharing confidential data or access
- Insider threats – Attacks by malicious insiders with authorized access
- Denial-of-service (DoS) – Flooding systems to make them crash or run slow
These threats exploit technical vulnerabilities as well as human psychology. Attackers rely on lack of awareness to successfully breach defenses.
Tip 1: Keep Software Up-to-Date
One of the most important steps for good cyber security awareness is keeping all software on internet-connected devices fully updated. This includes:
- Operating systems – Install the latest OS updates
- Apps – Download most recent versions of all applications
- Firmware – Update router and Internet-of-Things device firmware
- Plugins – Maintain updated extensions and add-ons for browsers and apps
Updates often contain vital security patches fixing known vulnerabilities. Neglecting to promptly install them leaves holes that attackers can exploit to infiltrate networks and steal data. For example, the WannaCry ransomware outbreak of 2017 largely resulted from unpatched Windows systems. Regular updates are essential for identifying and closing security gaps before criminals can take advantage.
Tips for managing updates:
- Enable automatic background updating on devices when available
- Periodically check for and install latest updates manually if not automated
- Reboot devices after installing updates to ensure changes take effect
- Review update changelogs for details on security fixes
- Prioritize “critical” and “high severity” common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs)
Organizations should deploy centralized patch management software to automate and track patching across their IT infrastructure. Overall, establishing consistent update practices significantly bolsters cyber security posture.
Tip 2: Use Strong Passwords
Weak passwords represent one of the most common entry points for attackers. Here are guidelines for creating strong passwords:
- Minimum 12 characters—the longer the better
- Mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
- Avoid dictionary words, names, dates, patterns
- Don’t reuse the same password across accounts
- Consider using a password manager to generate and store unique passwords
Complex passwords with full randomness defeat brute force attempts to crack them and make it nearly impossible for hackers to guess them based on personal details. Furthermore, unique passwords prevent credential stuffing attacks that take advantage of reused passwords obtained in prior data breaches. Adopting best practices for strong, distinct passwords on all accounts substantially improves cyber security defense.
Tips for managing passwords:
- Use a password manager to generate and fill passwords
- Never share passwords openly via email, social media, etc.
- Change passwords immediately if there’s any suspicion of compromise
- Don’t use security question answers that can be easily researched
- Set up password recovery options in case access is lost
For enterprises, multifactor authentication provides an added layer of protection beyond standard passwords. With greater dependency on digital systems, strong passwords are a prerequisite for security and can prevent 80% of cyber attacks.
Tip 3: Enable Multifactor Authentication
Multifactor authentication (MFA) requires providing two or more credentials for online account access. This combines:
- Something you know – Password, PIN
- Something you have – Code from authentication app, security key
- Something you are – Biometric like fingerprint, face, voice
Even if an attacker obtains a user’s password, they also need possession of the physical second factor or biometric to pass MFA checks. Enabling MFA provides important extra protection by making stolen credentials useless on their own. It is one of the most effective cyber security controls available.
Benefits of multifactor authentication:
- Prevents password breaches leading to account takeovers
- Blocks automated credential stuffing attacks
- Reduces risk from phishing and social engineering
- Protects against bypassing defenses via VPNs/proxies
MFA should be implemented across all important online accounts including:
- Banking and financial accounts
- Social media
- Business SaaS applications
- VPN and Wi-Fi networks
Organizations must mandate MFA for all employees to prevent lateral movement after breaching perimeter defenses. MFA acts as a failsafe significantly enhancing cyber security posture.
Tip 4: Avoid Phishing Scams
Phishing scams attempt to trick users into disclosing login credentials or sensitive information by impersonating trusted entities through email, websites, phone calls, and more. Phishing relies heavily on social engineering techniques to manipulate human psychology. Some warning signs of phishing include:
- Urgent threats of account suspension if action not taken
- Requests to re-enter or validate financial information
- Typos, grammatical errors, or other informalities
- Generic greetings like “Dear user” instead of name
- Suspicious sender name, domain, or email address
Scrutinizing messages for these indicators helps avoid being deceived. Especially important is verifying the sender by looking up official contact info rather than trusting what’s displayed.
Best practices for identifying phishing:
- Hover over hyperlinks to preview destinations
- Look for slight misspellings of organization names
- Call company using published number to confirm suspicious requests
- Avoid clicking links or attachments in unsolicited emails
- Use anti-phishing features like spam filters and email authentication
Ongoing user education is key to recognizing phishing attempts across channels. Organizations should conduct simulated phishing tests to increase employee resilience. Finally, limiting access and information also minimizes potential damage from successful phishing.
Tip 5: Practice Safe Browsing
Carelessly visiting unknown websites and following links can expose devices to infection from malware-laden pages. Here are some tips for secure web browsing:
- Use reputable sites and avoid clicking questionable links/pop-ups
- Check site security for HTTPS prefix and closed lock icon
- Beware fake lookalike sites imitating real ones
- Don’t enable Flash or install unverified programs
- Use ad and script blockers to limit risky content
- Clear cookies and site data after visiting suspicious sites
Additionally, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt traffic and mask IP addresses to bolster privacy and security over public Wi-Fi. Overall safe browsing minimizes exposure to drive-by downloads and other web-based threats.
Other safeguards against web threats:
- Use up-to-date anti-malware and network monitoring software
- Disable browser autofill features storing passwords
- Regularly clear cache and browsing histories
- Block pop-ups which can hide malware
- Disable unwanted browser extensions
Exercising caution online prevents criminals from infiltrating networks via compromised endpoints. It also limits access to personal information minimizing social engineering risk.
Tip 6: Back Up Data Regularly
Ransomware attacks restricting access to critical systems and data are on the rise. Routine backups provide an insurance policy against such breaches. Effective backup practices include:
- Automated daily backups with revision history
- Testing restoration from backups regularly
- Storing backups offline and/or in the cloud
- Encrypting backup data
- Documenting backup schedules and procedures
Separating backups from network connections prevents the spread of ransomware to storage media. Storing backups both locally and in the cloud enables recovery of recent versions following an attack. Overall, reliable backups make systems resilient by allowing restoration to an operational state.
Additional data protection tips:
- Classify data by sensitivity and set appropriate permissions
- Scrub metadata and disable auto-save/versioning in files
- Encrypt disks, external media, and important files/folders
- Wipe devices before disposal
- Securely erase files before recycling storage media
Layered security preserving confidentiality and access controls limits damage if backups fail. Holistic data protection combines backups with solid encryption, access controls, and retention policies.
Conclusion
Promoting cyber security awareness empowers organizations and individuals to counter growing cyber risks. The 6 essential tips covered include: keeping software updated, using strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication, avoiding phishing, practicing safe browsing, and backing up data regularly. Mastering these fundamentals significantly enhances defense against modern cyber threats. Ongoing training and simulated testing help ingrain security best practices. Overall, improving human cyber hygiene is imperative for managing vulnerabilities and enabling digital safety.