5 minutes reading. 13 + 13 Steps for Home and Business Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity for your Home and Business

This article is for those who want to learn more about cybersecurity and secure their home or business network.

Why Should We Care About Our Computer and Our Smartphones Security?

 

Computers are an essential part of everyday life. Properly setting up your computer and information before connecting to the Internet is vital to secure your computer and data. Our PCs, smartphones, and tablets help us maintain financial, social, and professional relationships. We use them for banking and bill paying, online shopping, connecting with our friends and family through email and social networking sites, researching data posted on the Internet, and so much more. 

We rely heavily on our computers to provide these services, yet we sometimes need to pay more attention to our need to secure them. Because our computers play such critical roles in our lives, and we input and view so much personally identifiable information (PII) on them, it's imperative to maintain them with security that ensures the safe processing and storage of our information.

How Do We Improve the Security of My Home Computer and Devices?

 
The following steps are essential to making your home computer and devices secure. While no individual action will eliminate your risk, these defense-in-depth practices will strengthen your home computer's defense and minimize the threat of malicious exploit.

1.     Connect to a Secure Network
2.     Enable and Configure a Firewall
3.     Install and Use Antivirus and Spyware Software
4.     Remove Unnecessary Software
5.     Back up your Information to a Cloud or Several Hard Disks
6.     Modify Unnecessary Default Features
7.     Operate Under the Principle of Least Privilege
8.     Secure and Always Keep Your Web Browser updated 
9.     Apply Software Updates and Enable Future Automatic Updates
10.     Use a Good Security Professional Who Understands the Practices
11.     Use caution with email attachments and untrusted links
12.     Use caution when providing sensitive information
13.     Create strong passwords  

What is Home or Business Network Security?

A safe home or business network means your family can use the Internet more safely and securely.

Most households now run networks of devices linked to the Internet, including computers, gaming systems, TVs, tablets, smartphones, and wearable devices that access wireless networks. To protect your home network and your family, you need the right tools and confidence that family members can use the Internet more safely and securely.

The first step is to keep a clean machine and ensure all your internet-enabled devices have the latest operating system, web browsers, and security software. This includes mobile devices that access your wireless network. 

How do I improve the security of my home network?

By following some of the simple but effective mitigation techniques below, you can significantly reduce the attack surface of your home network and make it more difficult for a malicious cyber actor to launch a successful attack.

1.   Use Networking Professional Who Understand your Hardware
2.   Update your software regularly
3.    Remove unnecessary services and software
4.    Adjust factory-default configurations on software and hardware
5.    Run up-to-date antivirus software
6.    Install a network firewall
7.    Install firewalls and antivirus on network devices
8.    Automatically back up your data
9.    Enable wireless security
10.    Mitigate Email Threats
11.    Improve Password Security
12.    Increase your Wi-Fi security by activating network encryption
13.    Enhance protection for all devices connected to your office or home network

Why should I care?

Many home and business users share two common misconceptions about the security of their networks.

1.  They believe that their home or office network is too small to be at risk of a cyber-attack.
2.  They believe their and the employee's devices are "secure enough" right out of the box. 

Most attacks are not personal and can occur on any network, big or small, home or business. If a network connects to the Internet, it is inherently more vulnerable and susceptible to outside threats.

Service companies, contractors, and builders utilize advanced technology at home and in the office to increase work efficiency, manage daily tasks quickly, and create a more positive workspace.