According to recent reports by the FBI, hundreds of law firms fall victim to hackers each year. To ensure that your firm doesn’t become one of them, check out these great methods to protect you from attacks! Many of these changes are simple, but provide far-reaching protection. Law firms are easy targets for hackers because they have access to extensive confidential information but are less secure than banks and government agencies. The following prevention tips can help you stop an attack before it happens:
Install software updates
If you’re like most people, the small pop-up that informs you of a pending software update is probably met with groans and chronic use of the “Remind Me Later” button. These updates are irritating because they require approval while you’re actively using your device, and they often take time to install. However, it’s important to keep your operating system current because updates will provide protection against known security issues. So, next time you see a pop-up reminder for an update, make sure to let it run. It’ll be worth it in the long run!
Create more secure passwords
Your password should be different for every major system that you use. Varying your passwords ensures that cyber-criminals don’t immediately gain access to the full extent of your data once the first password has been compromised. In general, your password should be between 12-14 characters and contain letters, numbers, and special characters. For more details on crafting a secure password, check out our blog article on the topic!
Encrypt your hard-drives
Good data backup practices can go a long way in mitigating the damage of a cyber-attack. With that said, it’s important to protect the data you have backed up through the use of encryption. The most secure backup system is an external disk that no one can access remotely. Encryption of this disk protects you against attacks because no one will be able to access the data without your decryption key.
Secure your data using two-factor authentication.
In offices that are going paperless, it’s a good idea to secure your data using two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication requires the user to provide a password and utilize a known secure device to enter the system. This form of account access is more complex and seems less appealing because it takes more time to set up and use. However, the technology is incredibly hard for cyber-criminals to break through, making the investment of time worth it for the data protection.
Eliminate password-sharing
You know that sticky note you keep on the edge of your monitor with all your login information? There’s never been a better time to throw it out! When employees share login information, it compromises the overall security of your system. It’s important to make employees aware of the dangers of password sharing and to deactivate login credentials as employees leave the company.
What are you waiting for? Beef up your security today!
