This is a guest post submitted by Marry Gaebler of Dept-A, a digital marketing agency based in Berlin, Germany.
We live in a world where everything is digitally stored and transacted. The internet has grown to play a significant role in our lives as it helps us to connect with others, share information, and access different services.
But some things could improve in this new world. One of them being security issues concerning your digital data.
If you do not secure your digital data, you may face problems like identity theft or cyber-attacks. This article will share some ways to secure your startup’s digital data.
Digital Data in 2023 and Viruses
It’s important to note that the problem is not necessarily with the technology itself. It’s with how we use it. Many people believe technology will solve our problems, and frequently need clarification. The fact is that technology is just a tool, and as with any device, you can use it for good or evil.
The problem with digital data in 2023 is that there will be too many copies.
If you have one copy of something, you don’t need to worry about losing it. But if you have ten copies, one could go missing, and suddenly you need to know what happened to your data. It can lead to problems if you don’t have backups.
However, it is essential to remember that anyone with the right technology and know-how can access digital information. It means that your personal information could be exposed or stolen in several ways:
Through Your Email
Hackers can get into your email account by spamming and attaching viruses. It would be beneficial if you never opened any attachments that did not come from a familiar source. They then download all the emails you’ve ever sent or received from others.
Through Your Website
Hackers might steal credit card numbers from a retailer’s database and then use them themselves; alternatively, they could sell those cards on underground websites for pennies on the dollar.
Not Updating Your Devices Regularly
If you don’t update your phone’s operating system regularly (typically involves downloading an app), hackers could exploit software vulnerabilities to access all your private photos without leaving any trace behind.
Does Any Computer Need Antivirus Software?
The answer is a resounding Yes!
Pharming and phishing are real. You must do all you can to protect yourself.
Phishing involves posing as a reliable entity to steal sensitive personal data such as passwords and credit card numbers. Phishing scams try to entice you into sharing information you wouldn’t often give up by taking advantage of your trust and weakness. You need good antivirus software for your computer to protect itself from viruses and malware.
Avira Antivirus Pro is well-known as one of the best options for desktop users, offering an excellent balance between detection rates and performance.
It also has some great features like automatic updates and a customizable firewall, plus it’s cross-platform compatible so that you can use it on all your devices without issue.
Is It Possible to Hack Any Software, And How Dangerous Can It Be?
It is possible to hack any software. If this happens, it can be dangerous.
Always be aware of what you do and only sometimes believe in everything you see. If you own a business, especially with valuable data, you should know that your stuff can be hacked and stolen. It is essential to prevent this from happening or handle it properly if it does happen.
Is It Possible to Spy Through Any Camera?
One can use software that would allow you to spy and monitor any camera. It’s possible because most cameras have built-in software that can be accessed and recorded.
The question is, how can one prevent it?
Here are some simple steps that you can take:
- Always use a VPN service when using public Wi-Fi.
- Never leave your webcam open when you are not using it.
- Never use an unknown wireless connection to connect your computer or laptop to the internet.
- Always use passwords and encryption on your devices and networks.
- Keep changing your passwords frequently so no one can hack into them easily.
- Use antivirus software and back up important data.
- Keep your system updated with your device manufacturer’s latest patches and security fixes.
- Only download apps from trusted App stores like Google Play or Apple App Store. Here they have been checked by the developer and approved by the store owner as safe to use by consumers.
What Concerns Should a Startup Founder Know?
Data security is a top priority for all businesses, even for startups. Protecting your startup‘s data against cyberattacks is a necessary step in the growth and development of a company. For example, the average data breach cost rises yearly, so securing your company’s digital assets is not to be taken lightly.
There are two significant ways your startup’s data can be compromised:
Hacking
When it comes to hacking, the type of data stolen will depend on the company you run.
For startups, they might steal financial information like client accounts or bank account numbers. They may even try to get your investors‘ personal data by taking over the site and changing its login page or security settings (something called phishing).
Suppose hackers have access to any of these pieces of information, and they aren’t protected with robust encryption methods (like 2FA).
In that case, they can use them as fake credentials when logging into other accounts or websites that store similar data—which can lead to massive security breaches.
Employee Negligence
Your employees are also responsible for protecting your startup‘s sensitive information—and they can do it just as severely, if not worse, than hackers.
One of the most common ways this happens is through accidental sharing or deletion: an employee might send a client list to someone who doesn’t need access or delete an important file accidentally when trying to move it from one folder.
Backup crucial documents that can result in significant losses if lost. You can also consider protecting your external hard drive with a password, and utilise this to back up your digital data.
Which Software Is the Safest?
The best software to protect your computer is the one that works. A good one to consider is Avira which provides the best usability protection and malware and real-world protection.
Avira’s user-friendly layout makes it easy to navigate. Anyone can use it easily because it is so simple to use. It is ideal even if you are new to computers or need assistance.
Using Avira’s services is entirely free. Avira Antivirus’ automatic update option lets you keep up with the most recent patches and upgrades.
It can be difficult to discern because most software companies will not disclose their source code as they would with a proprietary algorithm (they don’t want anyone else reverse-engineering or stealing it). You can take several actions to increase your chances of choosing a good program.
First and foremost, ensure the company has been around for years—preferably decades. It takes time for developers to build trust within the industry and establish themselves in ways that allow them to grow organically over time without having to sell out or compromise their values by partnering with other companies for profit reasons.
Also, look for certifications:
- Does this software meet industry standards?
- Does it get positive reviews from customers?
- Is there anything about its design that makes you feel uneasy (eavesdropping features)?
Some companies even provide third-party reports on how secure their products are. Hence, consumers have more information when choosing which works best under certain conditions like budgets or technical specifications such as processor speeds vs memory requirements.
Researching a program thoroughly is the best way to ensure it is secure. Suppose you can find a way to test the software, try to break into its code, and figure out how it works. It will show you how secure it is—and whether or not any loopholes in its security features, hackers (or even by law enforcement agencies) can easily exploit these.
Take Caution and Protect Your Startup’s Digital Data
Overall, it’s important to remember that no matter how good your computer is at protecting against viruses, there will always be new ways for hackers to get into your system.
The best option is to keep your antivirus software and security patches up to date so that you are ready when something does occur, as it inevitably will.