As more of our lives are based online, security against hackers becomes more important. Hackers have two objectives: creating chaos and stealing cash. They obtain personal information and then use it to initiate unauthorized charges against your accounts, or they can interfere with your business operations by using malware to trigger attacks that cause denial of service or other issues.

The good news is that there are many options to prevent cyberattacks, and most of them require no large amount of effort. Begin by encrypting data that isn’t transmitted via the internet (that includes social security numbers of employees, bank routing digits, and other sensitive data). Enable the full-disk encryption tool that comes with most operating systems. For Macs, FileVault is the name, and on PCs, it’s BitLocker.

Make sure you update your software regularly. Update your software programs regularly. Many hackers gain access to computers through outdated software. Updates address these weaknesses and make it more difficult for hackers to penetrate your system.

Install a firewall on all your devices. Firewalls are network systems designed to manage the incoming and outgoing data that is stored on your computer. Windows and macOS both come with a built-in firewall, but you should also install a third-party firewall application to protect your home networks and mobile devices.

Review your device names and network names. Do not use personal identifiers such as your last name or your phone number. This can give hackers access to your data.

Be cautious when discussing your work with others. Even minor details, such as the place where you grew up, or the names of your pets, could be used to help hackers penetrate click for source security systems.