Hack-Attacks on the rise in SA

Here are some useful tips to avoid Cyber-crime:

1.Password weaknesses and reuse – make your password 8-10 characters including capital letters, numbers and punctuation marks 
2.Guard your personal data – you will be surprised how many people write their passwords on a post-it and stick it in their laptop
3.Have an auto lock on cell phones and tablets 
4.Beware of malicious spam and phishing messages – if it is too good to be true, it’s too good to be true (emails offering free goodies if you sign up here etc)
5.Remote access applications – be careful about accessing “free wi-fi” hot spots – you don’t know who/what is on there 
6.Do not buy pirated software and always run updates and patches – pirated software is the easiest way for someone to get into your system
7.Ensure regular backups 
8.Update Antivirus regularly 
9. BYOD, (bring your own device) does not allow the IT department adequate control of that device 
10. You cannot be completely safe, rather prepare for the when it happens situation by having adequate insurance coverage 

By Candice Sutherland