If you’d rather *not* have your data stolen, you may want to stick around.
Here are a few things to stay away from!
1. Password123: The Key to Every Hacker’s Heart
If your password looks something like “password123,” hackers are already halfway through the door! They’ll be sipping virtual piña coladas at your expense before you know it.
Pro Tip: Create passwords that even Sherlock Holmes would struggle to crack. Try using a password manager to whip up strong, unique passwords for each account. Something like “Banana$andwich!567” is way better than your childhood pet’s name.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication: Because Two Locks Are Better Than One
Passwords alone are so 2005. Hackers might get your password, but if you’ve got multi-factor authentication (MFA), they’ll hit a virtual wall faster than you can say “No, thanks!”
Pro Tip: Turn on MFA for your most important accounts—email, banking, and anything you don’t want a hacker treating like an open buffet.
3. Skip the Updates, Get the Malware (Not Recommended)
Not updating your software is like putting out a “Hackers Welcome” sign. Those annoying updates? They’re actually there to fix security flaws that hackers are dying to exploit.
Pro Tip: Set your devices to update automatically. Then you can sit back and let the updates roll in while you enjoy your coffee.
4. Phishing Scams: The One Email You *Don’t* Want to Open
Phishing emails are like the bad sequels of the cyber world: same old plot, but somehow people still fall for them. “Click here to win a free iPhone!” (Spoiler: You won’t.)
Pro Tip: Don’t click on any suspicious links. If you get an email from your “bank,” double-check the sender’s address or log in directly from their official website to be safe.
5. Public Wi-Fi: The Hacker’s Happy Hour
Logging into your accounts on public Wi-Fi is like sending your private info on a postcard—no envelope, no seal, just out there for everyone to see.
Pro Tip: Use a VPN when browsing on public Wi-Fi. It encrypts your connection, making sure hackers get nothing but scrambled code.
6. Ransomware: Pay Now or Pay Later
Want to lose all your files to a hacker and have them demand ransom? No? We didn’t think so. Hackers love to encrypt your data and hold it hostage, but if you back up your files, you’ll have the last laugh.
Pro Tip: Set up automatic backups to a cloud or external hard drive so you can restore everything without coughing up a dime.
7. Leaving Devices Unlocked: An Invitation to Hackers
Leaving your laptop or phone unlocked is like letting hackers in through your front door with an “All You Can Steal” buffet. They’ll have a field day with your data before you even notice.
Pro Tip: Lock your devices with strong passcodes or biometric security like face or fingerprint recognition. Bonus points if you set them to auto-lock after a few minutes of inactivity.
Final Thought
Cybersecurity is a lot like flossing—everyone knows they should do it, but some people still skip it. Don’t be the one who skips the simple stuff and ends up with a gaping security hole. By taking just a few precautions, you’ll keep hackers at bay and your data safely locked up.
But hey, if you’re really set on getting hacked, go ahead and forget everything you just read. We won’t tell the hackers… probably.
Looking to upgrade your business’s cybersecurity? VISTECH can help you keep the hackers out and your data safe. Contact us today for a consultation!