How to Protect Your Data from Hackers | Antivirus Software

The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on May 25, 2018. The new guidelines affect all companies equally, regardless of their size or the industry in which they operate. The previous data protection laws will be brought to a new, uniform standard throughout the EU.

Due to the fact that the entire topic was only little-noticed and considered in some countries, also due to the previous threat of punishment at a comparatively low level (Austria: 25,000 euros), the new law contains a much higher penalty range, namely up to 4 percent of the global one Turnover of a company or EUR 20 million (whichever is higher). These high fines are intended to ensure that both international corporations and small companies take up the issue. Especially for Austria, a country in which the majority of all companies can be assigned to the SME sector, this means that any penalties present domestic companies with major problems which in the end could even threaten their very existence.

Nevertheless, not all companies are by far prepared for the new regulation. On the contrary: A current SAS study shows that 93 percent of the survey participants believe that they are not yet fully compliant with the guidelines.

For many companies, especially in the SME sector, this is also because lack the necessary know-how and shy away from implementing complex and expensive security solutions. A very important step is to protect your own data from external access, i.e. from hackers. Here it is important to heed the following 10 tips.

1. Holistic Security Strategy

Isolated solutions for IT sub-areas involve high risks for a company, as security gaps are virtually programmed. If the responsibility for virus protection, password and identity management, or the encryption of sensitive company data lies in the hands of different employees in your company, a holistic security strategy becomes difficult. Pay attention to a holistic security strategy and central control of all IT security tasks.

2. Generate Secure Passwords

According to the Data Breach Investigations Report, hackers used cracked or stolen passwords to gain access to internal company systems in over 50 percent of reported computer attacks. You should therefore ensure that secure passwords are used in your company and that employee is trained in the correct handling of passwords and access data

 

3. Missing Updates Are a Security Risk

Operating systems, browsers, application software,, and, above all, security programs should always be kept up to date. Hackers very often target plug-ins (small programs that can be added to another program) in particular. If these are not up to date, passwords and other information can be readout.

Another very important point is to regularly update the software on the router, the technical link between your company and the Internet. You should therefore also have the router's firmware checked regularly to ensure that it is up-to-date. Particular caution is required if the router has WLAN (wireless LAN, ie surfing without cables).

4. Secure Wi-Fi Networks Against Hackers

Inadequately protected WiFi networks are often the cause of successful attacks by computer geeks. You can achieve efficient security by securing configuration access using an unusual user name and a long and complicated network key. Make full use of the maximum possible key length of 63 characters. Also, only use the secure WPA2 standard for encryption options.

5. Never without Virus Protection and A Firewall

Hackers have easy access to computers without virus protection and firewall programs. It is therefore obvious: Never go online without virus protection or antivirus software like Protegent.

6. Check Open Interfaces

Hackers not only get into the company network via the Internet but often also via so-called open interfaces. Classic examples of this are printers and USB interfaces that are not protected by a firewall. You should be careful when using USB sticks. One infected device is enough for a virus or Trojan horse to spread quickly to the company network.

7. Use the Latest Online Banking Methods

In addition to tapping confidential company data, user data for online banking are particularly worthwhile goals for hackers. You should therefore always use the latest online banking procedures offered by your bank. Accounts that are only secured using TAN, i-TAN, e-TAN, or m-TAN are inadequately protected. The home banking computer interface method (HBCI) currently offers the highest security standard and therefore the best protection against hackers.

8. Make Mobile Devices Secure

For some time now, hackers have also recognized employee smartphone apps as a new target. This gives you unnoticed access to the company's internal network. Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems and additional features that separate private from professional are solutions that efficiently protect your company from attacks by computer specialists using mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

9. Encrypt the Data in Cloud Solutions

With functionalities such as managed firewall, web & mail security including intrusion prevention, and DDoS protection, cloud services offer secure and cost-effective storage of large amounts of data. However, the security of cloud solutions primarily depends on the provider's security precautions. However, there is no 100 percent security here either. You should therefore protect your data against attacks by additionally encrypting the data locally.

10. Raising Employees' Awareness of Hacker Attacks

Hackers are also increasingly using social networks and social engineering (e.g. eavesdropping on employees over the phone) to hack company networks. For data thieves, these are the most common and most promising methods of obtaining confidential information.

Safety-technological barriers are circumvented in this way. Therefore, sensitize and train your employees to recognize threats from hacks via social media and social engineering in good time. Social media guidelines and corresponding training courses make a major contribution to the security of your company.