Remote working and the sudden increase in the number of online merchants have raised some serious online security concerns. It’s the sudden shift that has swollen the pool of unprotected users and devices that hackers find fairly easy to exploit. In fact, they come up with such advanced techniques that they end up using security tools by google to help them spread the malware – the very same tools and services that google manufactures for safeguarding users from threat actors. 

This is a clear indication that one single strategy is no more enough to protect users from hackers. Before we take you through the techniques that you should use simultaneously to safeguard your devices, we would first want you to understand how hackers work. 

1. They buy real domain names to make websites. 
2. The malicious websites created by hackers look so clean and genuine that it’s hard even for advanced tools to segregate them from real ones. 

As soon as an innocent user clicks on the link to the website, the malware attaches itself to the system’s software. Once the malware is released, here’s how it’s used for blackmailing. 

• Hackers will get remote access to your system and they will encrypt all the files. You will no longer be able to access your system and will be asked to pay a ransom to get your accounts back. 
• Hackers will secretly steal sensitive information like your financial details and the details of every other person in your contact. You’ll end up losing money and the security of every person in your contact list will be put at risk. 

Now that you know how serious malware attacks and phishing can be, here are the different techniques – when used simultaneously – that can help you defend your systems better. 

1. Improve Your Password Habits

Two biggest password mistake are:

1. Not changing the default password. 
2. Using the same password for all devices. 

So, avoid them at all costs. 

Moving on, some password techniques that will really defend your devices are listed below. 

• Using a Password Manager – a password manager performs multiple functions. It saves all your passwords in safe encrypted files. It can generate complex passwords too. 
• Using a Long Password – hackers usually prefer going after a system that has a small password since such passwords are generally easy to guess. So, make yours at least 12-15 characters long. 

2. Practice MFA

Earlier used at just some governmental institutions, MFA is now a major practice that all firms should practice. It should be available for all employees – especially, employees working from home. 

• System’s password isn’t the only factor to be cleared to get access. 
• Minimum 3 more security layers are added. 
• Even if a hacker enters the right password, they will have to clear the additional security layers. 

To sum up, all these techniques make a strong barrier to keep hackers out of your organization.