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5 Common Cybersecurity Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

 

Source: Cyber Managment Alliance

 

 

 

Nowadays, when the world is overwhelmed with cybercriminals, protecting your online assets and presence has become more important than ever. This is because sometimes, you unknowingly make some common mistakes that expose critical data which eventually provides an opportunity for cybercriminals to steal and exploit it.

 

Cyber breaches cost organisations or businesses thousands of dollars every year. Whether you are an individual or running a business, avoiding common cybersecurity mistakes can help to protect your sensitive data and information.

In this blog post, we are going to discuss 5 common cybersecurity mistakes and how you can avoid them to make your businesses secure.

 

5 Common Cybersecurity Mistakes To Avoid

Now is the time to discuss what the 5 common cybersecurity mistakes businesses are making along with solutions on how they can avoid such mistakes.

 

Let’s discuss:

 

1. Weaker Passwords

Having a weak password is one of the most common cybersecurity mistakes businesses or individuals make. Many users continue to use simple passwords, making them vulnerable to cybercriminals who can quickly crack these credentials. According to a study, 80% of the data breaches happen mainly because of using weaker or stolen passwords.

 

However, another mistake businesses make is to repeat the same password across multiple platforms. This increases the chances of the password being cracked by the hackers and results in potential data loss.

 

How to Avoid Such Mistakes?

 

If you have to protect your privacy, you will have to create a strong and secure password. Maybe you don’t know how to create a stronger one. Don't worry, to avoid such a mistake, you can follow the guidelines below:

• Never use the common passwords on your name, pet name, or date of birth.
• Use a combination of different uppercase and lowercase letters.
• Repeat the characters within the password.
• Avoid using sequential numbers and letters, i.e., abcdef or 123456.

 

Moreover, the above-mentioned are only some common tips you can follow to make your password stronger to avoid cyber-attacks. However, if you want to make your password stronger, you can use indivisible characters within the passwords. Such characters are not visible to the eyes but readable to computers, which puts a great impact on the overall security of the password. 

 

However, you cannot add invisible characters manually into your passwords. In that case you can use a reliable invisible character tool which will help you to generate such characters to use to make stronger and more secure passwords.

Below is the screenshot attached of an Invisible Character generator tool we’ve used for your better understanding:

Using such a technique can make your password secure and you can easily avoid possible data breach attacks.

 

 

 

 

2. No Attention To Software Updates

Another common cybersecurity mistake is over-reliance on outdated software. Cybercriminals always find system vulnerabilities in old software to hack them. Software companies advise customers to update to the most recent versions in order to protect themselves from possible cyber-attacks. Ignoring software updates increases the risk of security breaches because outdated systems frequently contain known vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. The upgrades address these vulnerabilities.

 

How to Avoid Such Mistakes?

 

Regularly update your software if you want your personal information safe and secure from cyber-attacks. Download the updates or new versions of your software as soon as possible. Avoiding such mistakes can protect your data from possible cyberattacks.

 

3. Lack of Employee Training

Businesses or organisations frequently purchase the strongest security technologies and systems on the market today but fail to recognize that people are one of their most serious cyber threats. One of the leading and common cybersecurity mistakes is insufficient employee training. Human mistakes remain a major cause of cybersecurity issues.

If you fail to train your employees about best security practices, they may fall into possible cyber-attack on their systems. Without proper training, they may unintentionally expose the company to hackers.

 

How to Avoid Such Mistakes?

 

The only solution to avoid such a mistake is to give proper training to your employees on how to operate software to avoid getting attacked by hackers. Moreover, businesses should regularly conduct training sessions to ensure employees are aware of current threats and best practices for cybersecurity. The training sessions can cover topics like how to identify possible phishing attempts and different ways to handle sensitive information securely.

 

4. Overlooking Mobile Security

As an individual, overlooking mobile security is the main reason that can make you fall victim to cyber-attacks and leak huge sensitive data. 

Most cybercriminals begin their tasks by sending phishing emails to mobile phone users. Such emails carry suspicious links and that can be very harmful to our data when clicked. Additionally, mobile phone devices are especially vulnerable to Man-in-the-middle(MitM) attacks. 

 

How to Avoid Such Mistakes?

 

Ensure and enhance your mobile security that will let you get rid of cybercriminals. Below are some basic tips to follow to enhance mobile security.

• Enable a reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN).
• Ensure endpoint security for mobile phones.
• Use trusted antivirus apps that provide real-time protection against malware.
• Enable biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) for an added layer of security.
   

5. Not Employing MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)

Multi-Factor Authentication or MFA adds an additional security layer to the online accounts. It always asks for multiple verification checks to verify a user’s identity. MFA typically consists of a password, something the user physically owns, such as a security token or mobile device, or something on their physique, such as a fingerprint or facial recognition. 

The multi-layered method decreases the likelihood of a breach, even in the event of a leaked password. Some individuals or even businesses neglect such authentication methods because they don’t want to go through multiple verification steps. Therefore, it leads to possible cyber-attacks. 

So, in that case, if you have not employed MFA for the different businesses’ accounts, there are possible chances that you can get cyber-attacks. 

 

How to Avoid Such Mistakes?

 

Logging in using MFA requires a little more time and work, but it significantly minimizes the possibility of hackers breaching an account. Most systems or software need users to go into their account settings, select MFA or two-factor authentication, and select a method such as email, SMS, or an authenticator app, i.e., Google Authenticator or Microsoft authenticator. This will add an extra layer to the safety of your account and help you become a victim of a possible data breach.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Cybersecurity is an essential aspect that can save your online presence. However, making some common mistakes, i.e., using weaker passwords, not updating software, not using MFA, and much more, can significantly help hackers to do a data breach and steal critical data from your accounts.

However, individuals or businesses must avoid making such mistakes which may result in important data loss. In this blog post, we’ve discussed 5 common cybersecurity mistakes most individuals and businesses make and how you can avoid them to protect your data from possible cyber-attacks.

 

 

Don't wait for a cyber incident to understand your weaknesses. Proactive cybersecurity is the cornerstone of a strong cybersecurity posture. Contact Cyberatos today to learn how we can help you identify, assess, and mitigate your cybersecurity risks, ensuring the security and resilience of your organization.