If you’re short on New Year’s resolutions, we’ve got you covered. Here are 6 cyber secure goals to get your 2024 off to a strong start.
Setup Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Add an extra layer of security by enabling multi-factor authentication wherever possible, especially on your important accounts like your email, financial services, and health services. With MFA, even if a remote attacker knows your username and password, they still need access to a second layer of protection, like a code sent to your mobile phone, to gain access.
- MFA is simple to set up on your Parmenion account, just download our Parmenion app from your app store and login to your account, MFA is then automatically enabled.
Start using a Password Manager
- Use strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts - and a password manager to take the stress out of remembering those passwords.
- Remember, the key to strong passwords is length. An automated tool takes 62 trillion times longer to crack a 12-character password than one with six-characters, even if that shorter password uses a mixture of letters, numbers and special characters.
Stay informed
- Keep up to date with the latest cybersecurity threats and trends.
- Did you know there are websites like haveibeenpwned.com that will automatically notify you when your personal information (passwords, email, phone number etc) is being sold on the dark web? The new year is a great time to start using tools like these.
Have a healthy level of scepticism
- When it comes to emails, texts and phone calls, its best to be cautious, even if the communication appears to come from someone you know.
- It’s a good idea to verify the sender’s authenticity before clicking on anything suspicious, downloading attachments or providing information over the phone.
Keep on top of those software updates
- Keep all your software, including browsers, operating systems, antivirus programs and applications up to date with the latest security patches.
- If your device is infected with malicious software, information can be sent back to attackers without your knowing, and they can attempt to make fraudulent transactions or lock you out of your device.
Backup important files
- Consider how much data you could lose if you don’t back up your files, then establish a routine for backing up important data, either to an external hard drive or a secure cloud service – you could set up a calendar reminder, so you don’t forget.
- Regular backups can help you recover your data if you suffer a security incident.
This article is for financial professionals only. Any information contained within is of a general nature and should not be construed as a form of personal recommendation or financial advice. Nor is the information to be considered an offer or solicitation to deal in any financial instrument or to engage in any investment service or activity.
Parmenion accepts no duty of care or liability for loss arising from any person acting, or refraining from acting, as a result of any information contained within this article. All investment carries risk. The value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up and investors may get back less than they put in. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.