Cybercrime is on the rise and we feel it’s important to take time each year to share the best ways to fight it. Here are some tips from our Winter Park data security team that we can all use to make our networks safer.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month has been recognized each October since the early 2000s and is a collaboration between government and private industry to raise awareness about digital security and give more people the tools they need to fight cybercrime. At Dytech Group, we join with our colleagues in cybersecurity to focus our efforts on education.

This year’s theme was “See Yourself In Cyber” and it aimed to show people that, although cybersecurity may seem like a complex subject, it comes down to each user making smart decisions that can keep individuals and businesses safe.

Scary Cybercrime Stats

Before we dive into how our Winter Park data security team fights cybercrime every day, let’s look at some scary numbers. Maybe that’s why Cybersecurity Awareness Month is in October!

• 1 in 10 small businesses experiences a cyberattack every year.
• A ransomware attack takes place every 14 seconds.
• A cyberattack takes place every 39 seconds.
• Over 90% of successful cyberattacks come from phishing.
• Damages from cyberattacks are expected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.

As you can see, cybercrime is big business. It only costs $1 for a cybercriminal to secure a malware kit; $25 can get them the tools they need to hack a million emails and passwords. The truth of the matter is that we all must be hyper-vigilant to keep these attacks at bay.

What Can You Do To Fight Cybercrime?

Here is where Dytech Group’s Winter Park IT Support and data security team partners with Cybersecurity Awareness Month to offer simple tips we can all use every day. Cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated in their methods but if you know what to look for, scams, hacks, and phishing schemes can be easy to spot.

Follow these best practices and it will make a big difference in your company’s data security.

Enable multi-factor authentication – This is a technical term that means you need more than one password. Your login interface may ask for your password and then send you a text message with a code that you will then need to enter to complete your login. The more layers of security you have, the harder it is for a hacker to get in.

Use strong passwords – It may be tempting to use the same password for all of your devices but that is a cybercriminal’s dream. A pro tip for creating strong passwords is to use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Make it a sentence if that helps. MyP@$$w0rD!sStR0nG!

Update your software – As your software ages and falls out of date, it can become vulnerable to attack as weak spots are no longer patched by the manufacturer. It’s easy to stay current with updates when you partner with an IT security company like Dytech Group. Working with a managed services provider like our Winter Park data security team will keep your software updated and your data safe.

Train your staff to recognize phishing – Remember that stat about the success rate of phishing? It’s the favorite method of hackers because it’s easy for users to miss. Phishing is an attempt by a cybercriminal to get you to click on a link or a download that will unleash malware on your system. Traditionally, these phishing attempts come in the form of emails (sometimes from seemingly-trusted sources) but more and more often, they are coming in text messages and hacked social media account direct messages.

If something looks suspicious, don’t click. That’s the bottom line. There are always ways to double-check to see if a communication is legitimate without clicking or downloading from an email, text, or DM. You may have to (gasp!) pick up the phone and call the person who “sent” you the message to confirm that it’s actually from them.

Let Dytech Group Help You See Yourself In Cyber

Our IT team can keep your systems updated and monitor your firewalls for signs of suspicious activity, but as your Winter Park data security partner, we see the value in training your staff on how to best avoid cyberattacks. It is our goal to empower your employees to take control of their cyber activity to keep their information and your business safe. Contact us for more ways to protect your network.