You better make sure your I.T. consulting partner in Tulsa knows about security measures to protect against cyber crooks who try to impersonate other entities. Not only is cybercrime on the rise, but it’s also becoming more sophisticated. Here are ways to make strong passwords and use other authentication tools:
Guidelines for Strong Passwords
Strong passwords involve mixing up different types of characters so that they look like unintelligible mumbo jumbo. It’s important to stay away from any words found in the dictionary and go with passwords that look as though they don’t make any sense. Your I.T. consulting team in Tulsa should create a list of password tips for employees, such as:
- Do not use one password for all your accounts
- Make sure your passwords are difficult for others to guess
- Every password should be at least 8 characters
- Best passwords mix cases, numbers, letters, and symbols
An effective way to organize your various passwords is with password manager software. RotoForm for Windows users and LastPass for both Windows and Mac users are popular solutions for managing passwords. The program stores passwords for you, so all you have to remember is one password for the application.
Keeping Passwords Private
If you write down a password, be sure to keep it out of plain sight. Don’t forget that computers have built-in cameras that can be accessed by spies. Cyber conspiracies do exist, so make sure that when you write down passwords, they are locked away. The most basic rule about password security is to not give your private information to anyone.
Employees should be aware that hackers use “phishing” attacks that imitate familiar accounts. They are able to steal your information when you log into a seemingly legitimate account (but is not) with your username and password. It’s always safer to sign into accounts directly through the website than through email.
How to Maximize Security
Ideally, you create passwords in private and not at a cyber cafe. The key to making your devices secure is to use difficult layers to penetrate. Multi-factor authentication is an effective way to block hackers who will have a hard time penetrating your system if you use a secondary identification step, such as asking a personal question. Another method is to send a text with a code that must be entered.
Be aware that it’s possible for a cybercriminal to record all of your keystrokes with keyboard logger software. It’s one of their tools for stealing passwords. Dictionary hacking software is another tool that gives hackers access to online accounts. These tools are cheap and don’t require experience for hackers to succeed at stealing information or using your computer’s IP address to spy on other computers.
The most secure solutions involve 24/7 monitoring of your network. Automation software can identify intruders who do not have permission to enter your network. As long as you regularly backup all of your files, you will not have to be a hostage of ransomware.
Conclusion
Double-check with your I.T. consulting firm in Tulsa to make sure they implement strong passwords and proactive security measures. To learn more about network security, contact us at JMARK Business Solutions, Inc. We can give your business the protection it needs so that you can focus on your goals.
