Are Your Credentials On The Dark Web?

Hackers attack every 39 seconds. 
That’s thousands of passwords, emails, and other valuable data stolen every day. And unfortunately, so many of us make this an easy process for them.

If you think about it, we wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and offer them access to our email account or give them the passcode for our banking. Yet we are often so careless when it comes to our online credentials that we might as well be handing them directly to the hacker.
It could be as simple as walking away from your desk and leaving your device unlocked, opening an email attachment that infiltrates your network with a virus, connecting to an unsecure network or using a weak password. 

Once your credentials are compromised, your business is at risk of a security breach that could end up costing your organisation hundreds of thousands of dollars, not to mention the possibility of having to close the doors for good.
anspired have composed a list of ways in which you can prevent this from occurring and help secure your business.

1. Password Management:
We are constantly being told to never use the same password for multiple accounts, but at the same time we are increasing the number of applications we use each day, making it hard to memorise so many passwords. In my previous job (before I was properly educated on network security, and not working in the IT industry), I would write down all my passwords in a notepad and leave it in my desk draw or scribble them onto sticky notes that were placed around my monitor. Now, that’s just asking for trouble! By doing this I was allowing anyone access to not only my personal data, but my companies. So, in short, don’t do this…
Instead, use a secure Password Manager, then you only need to remember one password, and your credentials are far safer stored here than on your desk. 

2. Multi Factor Authentication:
If you haven’t heard of MFA before, it’s a security measure that requires two or more proofs of identity before you are granted access to your accounts. This could be a combination of your password, a pin sent to your phone via text, the answer to a security question you previously set, a token or in some cases a fingerprint. Having these multiple layers of security makes it significantly harder for a criminal to gain access to your personal information and business data. Where possible, we recommend that every business implements MFA.

3. Internal Training:
Research has found that over 88% of all data breaches are caused by employee mistakes.
Understandably, human error is just part of everyday life, but when it comes to your business there are steps you can take to prevent serious security issues taking place, and one of these is ensuring your employees have been trained correctly.

When implementing a training guide for your staff, its vital that it covers the ways in which your organisation is most likely to be hacked. From email scams, the use of social media, safe internet habits, the dangers of downloading, the list is endless.

There are a few ways you can implement the correct training into your business, some of which include signing your staff up for off sight training and seminars, creating your own policies and procedures which can be taught at time of employee onboarding, or you could partner with a Protective IT Service who provide the materials you require to ensure staff are working safely, whilst keeping your systems protected from hackers around the clock.

4. Perform a Dark Web Scan:
The Dark Web is an unregulated part of the internet that opens doors to illegal activity. From credential theft to credit card fraud, the possibilities are endless. So where does your compromised data end up? There is a virtual marketplace for your stolen data where cybercriminals are trading and making money. Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect your valuable information.
Dark Web scan will discover if your business credentials are currently exposed. If so, from here you can take the appropriate steps to help mitigate resulting damage.

The above highlights only a few ways in which you as a business owner or employee can reduce the risk of your organisation being hacked. 
The best form of defence is allowing an MSP (Managed Service Provider), to keep your business protected from threats before you are even aware they exist.
By outsourcing your technology support, you remove the risks associated with hackers and allow the experts to keep your business operating 24/7.

Get answers. Get inspired. Get protected.

1300 050 080
www.anspired.com.au