6/20/12

Passwords, Protection & Prevention - No Hacks

Best Practices (Part 9)


With the recent press about Linkedin's hacking debacle (it isn't often that a social media platform tells you that you'd better change your password) there's been another rise in privacy concern. 

Ever since social media became a buzzword there have been concerns and complaints about security and privacy. For the most part, it has been left up to the individual to maintain a level of vigilance in order to maintain a secure status quo. When the big platforms (especially Facebook) make changes, most of us know to take a look and verify our privacy settings are correct and proper.

That being said, even the most digitally savvy amongst us fall prey to laziness and curiosity, the two main ways hackers battle our defenses and get into our data.

We have to create, remember and use an awful lot of passwords in our day to day digital dealings. We all know the mess it makes when we fail to remember a password and have to go through the process of getting it reset. Many people, unfortunately, combat this by using one password for everything. Bad idea. Why? Because when one platform gets hacked, another might be just around the corner. So, when someone sorts out your Facebook password, do you really want them to test it out to see if you use the same password to access online banking or your retirement funds? We think not.

Even if we do have separate passwords for different accounts, we often keep that same password for far too long. Most tech security experts recommend you change passwords every 3-6 months, the shorter period if you often log in via public computers (work, the library, etc.). This is especially important with shopping sites like Amazon.com where your credit card details are stored. Same goes for both business and personal banking and financial accounts. Your social media accounts? Every six months is probably fine, unless you see something odd or notice something amiss. The most secure passwords are a combination of letters and numbers, with differing cases on the letters, and the occasional special character like an exclamation point or question mark (if allowed).

You've heard the curiosity killed the cat, of course...but did you know that curiosity is one of the main ways hackers connect with you and corrupt your accounts and data? Ever see a Twitter post telling you that people are saying horrible things about you? Don't click on the link. If you do, you're account will start sending the same message to every one of your followers. You're then forced to change your password to stop the barrage of spam you are sending to people who trust you're passing on viable information.

So, how do you know if it's spam and you shouldn't share, how can you prevent sharing information that could lead to hacks? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is - so don't click the link and don't share. If the grammar is off or the syntax is strange - don't click the link and don't share. If you hover over the link and see that it's nothing like what the link text states - don't click and don't share.

Part of engaging in digital business is keeping yourself and those with whom you do business secure and safe. Simple precautions and some careful thought and calculation before you click will help you do so.


5 comments:

oakleyses said...

michael kors, oakley pas cher, kate spade handbags, ralph lauren uk, ralph lauren pas cher, north face, michael kors, michael kors, burberry, hogan, hollister pas cher, nike roshe, sac guess, ray ban pas cher, ray ban uk, coach outlet, true religion outlet, air force, coach purses, nike roshe run, lululemon, coach factory outlet, coach outlet, timberland, true religion jeans, vanessa bruno, nike blazer, nike free, nike air max, hollister, new balance pas cher, vans pas cher, nike free run uk, nike air max, lacoste pas cher, louboutin pas cher, air jordan pas cher, michael kors, sac longchamp, north face, true religion jeans, abercrombie and fitch, tn pas cher, air max, longchamp pas cher, true religion jeans, converse pas cher, mulberry, hermes, nike air max

oakleyses said...

pandora charms, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, moncler, ugg pas cher, moncler outlet, vans, thomas sabo, canada goose, barbour, bottes ugg, louis vuitton, moncler, karen millen, hollister, marc jacobs, wedding dresses, canada goose outlet, moncler, pandora charms, ray ban, louis vuitton, montre pas cher, canada goose, supra shoes, louis vuitton, barbour jackets, ugg boots uk, toms shoes, moncler, converse outlet, moncler, juicy couture outlet, pandora jewelry, sac louis vuitton pas cher, doudoune canada goose, converse, replica watches, nike air max, lancel, canada goose, coach outlet, pandora jewelry, juicy couture outlet, moncler, doke gabbana outlet, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, canada goose outlet, links of london, canada goose, gucci, moncler

Unknown said...

michael Kors Sale
Cheap Jordans
oakley sunglasses
Michael Kors Outlet Online
Michael Kors Outlet Online
michael kors outlet online
ray ban outlet store online
true religion outlet
Oakley Outlet Online
oakley sunglasses outlet online
fitflops
Michael Kors Outlet Online
Michael Kors Outlet Online Sale
Oakley Outlet Stores
Uggs Outlet
Oakley Outlet
ray ban sunglasses
Ugg Boots
Cheap Jordan Shoes
toms sale
michael kors outlet
Cheap Jerseys Online
Air Jordan 11
michael kors outlet store
NFL Jerseys Cheap
Oakley Sunglasses
Oakley Sunglasses
fitflops
Ugg Boots Clearance
michael kors outlet

chenlina said...

chenlina20151210
nike trainers uk
coach outlet online
michael kors outlet online
louis vuitton outlet
ugg sale
uggs boots
michael kors outlet clearance
ray ban sunglasses outlet
cheap ugg boots
michaek kors handbags
fitflops
celine handbags
air max 90
kids uggs on sale
louis vuitton outlet
louis vuitton handbags
replica watches
fitflops sale clearance
cheap uggs
running shoes
canada goose outlet
cheap oakley sunglasses
jordan 11
oakley sunglasses cheap
louis vuitton outlet
christian louboutin outlet
tod's shoes
hollister uk
michael kors outlet
canada goose jackets
replica watches
louis vuitton outlet
oakley sunglasses cheap
michael kors handbags
cheap uggs
louis vuitton outlet
cheap ray ban sunglasses
replica rolex watches
jordan retro
toms outlet
as

Obat Ginjal Berkista said...

The article was very nice and very interesting to read. Thank you for sharing the information

Obat Untuk Mengatasi Perut Kembung
Obat Ulu Hati Terasa Sesak
Obat Pendarahan Usus
Obat Maag Ringan
Pengobatan Alternatif Radang Sendi
Obat Tradisional Iritasi Lambung