NerdsCafe.Net

 In my readings on tech news I had come across an article that made me think that I should write an article about some ways to protect yourself from intrusions. Most of us think that security breeches usually happens with outside individuals or groups infiltrate your systems. Although this is a large percentage and is true however there are internal actions that could be the fault of the security breech that can be avoided if we take the correct steps to avoid anything from happening. Between 20 – 57 percent of security breeches happen because of clueless end users or rogue employees from within a company.

Just look at the article I wrote about the US Intelligence Specialist leaking sensitive information on June 9^th. It happens all the time. I will be listing some ways that you can help to prevent or avoid security loop holes and your information from being leaked. The 2009 CSI Computer Crime Survay states over 60 percent of losses were due to non-malicious actions by insiders. Many damage assessment reports state that although insiders are responsible for fewer incidents than outsiders, insider incidents usually result in more damage.

Now that you have some background information on this topic I am going to list some ways to prevent or avoid these types of issues.

- The main way to avoid such issues is continued training of employees to help them know and understand how to protect sensitive information. This one simple thing is the key to future issues. Keeping your employees up to date on what to watch for and how to protect the companies information could in the long run save your company lots of money. Make sure when you do your annual budget to place aside money for continued education in the Tech Budget for all employees.

- Don’t download files from unknown sources – I don’t know how many times I have heard this and know this to be true but we still have people out there that just want to click on things in their emails they have no idea where it came from or who sent it or what it does. Not all web sites are safe. Always ensure that the source you are downloading from is legitimate. Use extreme caution if you are referred to a site by an email message. If you’re uncertain, don’t download. A simple way to remember this folks is: If it is not legit then don’t click.

- Recycle old electronic equipment safely and securely. It is important to retrieve all of the important files then erase your hard drives completely. There are many tools out there that can do this securely and safely. Once you have done this you can safely recycle the electronics by searching the internet for “computer recycling” spots in your area.

- Always log off your computer or lock your computer if you need to step away from your desk. This is an issue I have seen many times in offices. Someone gets up to get a cup of coffee, thinks they are only going to be gone for a minute and walk away from their desk without logging off or locking their desktop. It does not take but a split moment to have someone walk over and get the needed information they are looking for. In offices you have outside visitors all the time. Whether it is the water man or a business meeting with an outside company representative. Always lock your computer and log off at the end of the day.

- Never give your password to anyone unless it is in a written policy in the office to have the password given to your manager. I don’t care how much I trust my own kids I never give them access to my password for my computer and that is at home.

- A biggie in my book is a lot of people just don’t read before they click. If half of the people were to read what they were about to click I would bet that we would cut the amount of computers infected by some type of virus or malicious script in half. Many of these viruses have to be activated and installed by someone.

I know there are many other helpful ways to help protect and secure your electronics that I have not mentioned here and if you want to help others you can post them but I think this is a good start in helping us all in preventing security breeches with our electronics.  Pass this info along and help your buddy out.