It’s a new year, but data security is still a major concern and more important than ever. During the pandemic, many people began working from home and still choose to do so, which means some people use their personal devices for work. Whether you are in-office or at home, hackers are evolving just as quickly as technology, and it’s crucial to stay alert and informed about new data security threats.
One of the most useful tips that may seem like common sense is always being aware of what links you are clicking. If it looks suspicious, don’t click it. Phishing and social engineering have increased tremendously over the past few years, and it’s getting more difficult to decipher which emails are real and which are scams. Clickjacking is one of the most common methods used to gain access to personal information. Hackers pose as a bank or a streaming platform and send an email requesting your login info due to security claims.
One way to combat hackers is to use strong passwords and vary them across apps and platforms. It is tempting to use the same password for everything, because it’s convenient. However, using one password gives hackers easier access to all of your personal data. It’s better to keep a list of different complex passwords to dissuade hackers from hacking multiple apps. Password manager tools are a good way to develop and keep track of complex passwords. Another useful safety measure is using multi-factor authentication (MFA) to lock up devices.
Keeping your systems and softwares up to date is a crucial step in keeping your data safe. At the office or home, it’s important to make sure security software is updated regularly in order for it to work properly. Firewalls and antivirus software help detect and defend against cybercrime. It is also critical to keep your system backed up regularly to prevent any data loss.
Another common sense tip is to always practice caution. Avoid unfamiliar websites and useless downloads that may compromise your security systems. Public wifi isn’t always safe and should be avoided without a virtual private network (VPN). Hackers are sophisticated and becoming harder to detect,Awareness is a key factor in proactivity.
Data security is a top priority for many companies, and one method of data protection typically overlooked is proper IT asset disposition. Disposition facilities like HOBI partner with businesses to provide IT asset management and disposition services including data security and erasure.
HOBI is an R2v3, RIOS, and ISO-14001 certified IT asset management and disposition enterprise with more than 30 years of industry experience. We prioritize data security throughout every step of the disposition process and take extra security measures to provide clients with peace-of-mind that their private company and employee data is in capable hands.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.