Surfing securely - companies should be aware of these protective functions

Security plays a major role in the digital world. There are an incredible number of cyber criminals who try to obtain personal data and enrich themselves at the expense of others. It is therefore important to take all measures to protect yourself from attacks in the digital world. This article explains the options and tools available for this and what users should look out for in detail.

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Mobile devices in particular require a variety of digital protection measures.

An up-to-date firewall is a fundamental security function. Some companies still tend to install a firewall once and assume that it will permanently ensure the security of their operations. Unfortunately, this does not work. There is always new malware from viruses to Trojans to spyware that hackers and cyber criminals use. Accordingly, it is important to keep security functions up to date and ensure that they are aware of the new threats associated with digitalization and can deal with them.

The firewall should therefore be updated at regular intervals. On the one hand, this includes downloading, installing and using the latest updates. On the other hand, the current firewall should always be put to the test. Its functions may have been ideal for the company at a certain point in time, but they may no longer be. After all, a company continues to develop and new needs arise that sometimes cannot be met by old software. It is therefore sometimes necessary to select, implement and use completely new tools.

The mobile internet is playing an important role in more and more areas of society. In our private lives, we use our smartphones to communicate, research and use entertainment media. In the business environment, virtual devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops are used to hold meetings directly with customers, go on business trips or take part in trade fairs. In all these cases, it is necessary to go online outside the internal network and use public Wi-Fi, for example.

Since it is never possible to say what security precautions have been taken with public Internet access, users should take care of their own security. This is easily possible via a VPN. Such a virtual private network allows you, for example, to disguise your own IP address. In this way, cyber criminals cannot track data activities and have difficulties pursuing their malicious activities. A VPN also makes it possible to access services abroad, for example, that are actually restricted to the home country. This allows employees to remain flexible and use company data globally.

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Encryption plays a major role in online communication.

Encryption is important for companies today. This is especially true when personal or confidential data is to be exchanged. Encryption offers good protection in email communication in particular, but is still used far too rarely. Regardless of the provider, it is possible to encrypt your own messages and thus ensure that only selected people receive the messages.

Nowadays, however, communication is no longer limited to emails. With messengers, video telephony and social networks, there are many more communication channels that are important in the private sphere and in business. It is therefore particularly important to secure and encrypt the mobile devices used to access such services. The better the company data and communication channels are secured, the lower the risk of valuable data being lost or cyber criminals gaining access to the company system.

Often, threats to a company are not caused by inadequate technology, but by users who make mistakes or use the relevant technologies incorrectly. One well-known example is spam emails containing links that can be used to infiltrate a system with malware. Many employees are still unaware of this danger and click on links contained in suspicious emails.

The technical equipment of a company is therefore only one aspect of securing company data. On the other hand, it is equally important to offer regular training and further education. Here, employees should be familiarized with the specific dangers lurking in their respective working environment. It is crucial that the individual courses are practical and directly related to the work of the respective company. This allows employees to familiarize themselves with the possible safety precautions and tools and apply them naturally in their day-to-day work.

Online banking is now standard for companies. Whether purchasing raw materials, paying employees or ordering external service providers, all transactions are usually carried out online. It is important to carry out a precise comparison of the different banks and credit institutions. This will help you to avoid costs and find solutions that are best tailored to your own business and personal objectives.

A particularly important feature is 2-way authentication for online banking. Here, different channels and methods are used to log in to banking and confirm your identity. This is much more secure than if only one method is used to log in. For example, if the bank card is stolen or lost, there is hardly any risk of third parties gaining unauthorized access to the account.

The topic of security should be at the center of all management considerations and not just somehow thought through. It is therefore advisable to appoint a specific employee who is responsible for the security of company data, operational processes and the workforce. This person regularly checks, for example, whether the current technology is still up to date, whether the software has been regularly updated and whether the staff are familiar with the security aspects relevant to their area of work. In addition, employees have a specific contact person to whom they can turn for competent help with security issues and problems.

There are numerous tools and aids that increase a company's security both internally and online. It is important to select and implement the best solutions for individual needs. These should not be taken for granted, but should be regularly put to the test. It is also crucial to train the workforce and prepare them to use the new solutions. Those who do this can reliably protect themselves against hacker attacks and cyber criminals and actively drive and support the company's success.