It’s important to avoid making as many security mistakes as you can. The battle against cyber threats never ends. Cyber threats can be anything from malware and viruses to pesky hackers to unhappy ex workers.

1. Password Mistakes

If you use a simple password such as “apple” for everything, once a hacker or virus detects this on one platform or application, it can easily hack all the other programs. It is recommended to use lower and upper case letters, numbers, and if the program permits- special characters like a pound sign.

Once you make a password that’s difficult to remember on the top of your head, store a copy of it somewhere safe. Do not have a written account of the password where anyone can access it. Store it in an online or tangible type of vault.

This can also apply to usernames- do not use a word such as “admin” for all your logins.

2. Using Unsecure Wifi

Wireless networks that don’t prompt and require users to provide a password or at least an agreement contract to terms for access are suspicious. Open networks in hotels, airports and restaurants can be traps for hackers to steal your data. Open networks pertain to those that don’t require p

However, “free” is not always necessarily bad. A well-known and established company that gives a guest the password or makes the guest agree to certain terms to access their wifi for free isn’t as hazardous. It’s still recommended to not perform “top-secret” activities on your laptop since multiple people that you don’t know can be guests and use this service.

3. Not Making Multiple Backups

Even on a small scheme, such as writing a word document, making backups is important. That article you’re writing for your boss or

External hard drives are wonderful and nifty appliances to own and use. What if you spill water on your computer or someone steals it? For companies and individuals alike, it’s a drag to spend a chunk of money replaces your hardware, but it’s even worse losing all the work you’ve done, pictures you’ve taken, designed art, written  documents and more.

4. Trusting All Staff Members

You may have great coworkers and employees, but what if they leave on bad terms. A person gets terminated or laid off nd boom! He/she wants revenge on the company.

Provide access to certain levels of staff members and once someone leaves, change the passwords. This leads to the fifth of common mistakes.

5. Not Performing Routine Updates

Updating passwords protects against past disgruntled employees and past viruses and malware.

It’s imperative to update all software, too. This can be easy to put off because it becomes time-consuming which just makes it build off and become even more time-consuming. Don’t leave your computer on, turn it off when you don’t use it and it will perform its updates without you waiting on it.

Also, the reason software and applications are updated is because they’ve improved. If a certain virus has penetrated it in the past, the update will prevent further attacks against from said virus.