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Install Anti-Virus Software This is the number one step in preventing viruses / malware from reaching your data , find one that suits your needs and purchase it . For people on a tighter budget , there is cheap anti-virus software available , however if you ’ re protecting your business data it ’ s worth investing in the top software .
Maintain Your Anti-Virus Software If you ’ ve installed anti-virus software , it will need frequent updates to ensure it can protect against the latest known viruses . New viruses and malware are developed continuously and it ’ s essential your anti-virus stays up to date . Most anti-virus software will update in the background without asking you , but it ’ s worth checking anyway .
Scan Your Computer Regularly Take regular scans to ensure your files are clean from any threats . Most packages allow you to do a quick scan instead of a full scan , however , we recommend that you do a full scan once in a while to be safe .
Check Emails Before You Click When opening an email , be extra sure that what you ’ re clicking on is safe . Most viruses can ’ t access your computer unless you give them the gateway to do so . Most potential harmful emails will try and redirect you to
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a dodgy website or get you to click a file . Sometimes it ’ s hard to distinguish between a legitimate and a fake email . If you ’ re unsure about whether an email is fake , perform these checks :
• Do you recognise the email address ? If you don ’ t know who is sending you the email , it ’ s best practice not to click on any links in it .
• Does it sound too good to be true ? Then it probably is . Don ’ t be tricked into clicking a link that can supposedly give you free money .
• Are they trying to use your emotions ? Cyber criminals will use fear , sympathy and greed against you . If you ’ ve received an email saying you owe a fine or that they ’ re in trouble and need help , it ’ s likely to be a scam .
• Are you expecting the attachment ? Most of us are brain numbed to seeing generic business documents come in such as invoices and purchase orders . Don ’ t let repetitiveness be an entry point for malware . Make sure you know the sender before opening the attachment .
Browse Carefully on Unknown Websites Fortunately , with the combination of anti-virus software and Google ’ s advanced
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search algorithms , we land on safe websites more often than not . But this doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t accidentally land on a potentially dangerous website . Here ’ s our tips when checking if a site is safe :
• HTTPS If you need to type personal or private information into the website , always check that it has https :// before the URL and a lock icon . In short , this verifies that any data entered is safe and secure .
• Listen to your Anti-Virus Software If your anti-virus software displays a caution about a certain website , you should be extra sure that you know the website before proceeding .
• Research the company and the website before entering . If you think a website seems suspicious , the chances are someone else has too . Check to see if someone has commented on the security of the site .
• Are you clicking the correct buttons ? Some websites can be safe , but have unsafe ad banners . If you ’ re on a site to download a specific attachment , it ’ s quite common to see another banner with just a picture of a download button , this is nothing to do with the actual website , but it will try get you to click it instead of the button you ’ re after .
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Don ’ t Use Open Wi-FI If the Wi-Fi you ’ re accessing is an open unencrypted connection , then it means hackers can access any unsecured devices on the same network . Many of us use open Wi-Fi in our daily lives , such as coffee shops , on the train or at the airport . While working on this connection , hackers can access any information you ’ re transmitting over the internet , whether it ’ s confidential emails , credit card details or customer data .
Back Up Your Files This should be mandatory for every business . The best way of damage limitation in the case of a cyber-attack is backing up all your files frequently . Depending on the size of your business and the amount of data you store , you should try back up your important data daily . Back-ups can be done manually or automatically , we recommend setting up an automatic back-up to save time and eliminate the risk of human error .
To find out more about our security services or for more tips and advice on cyber security , sign up for our free Discovery Day by visiting : www . excaliburcomms . co . uk / discoveryday-sign-up /
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