Neil Bayliss, Director Of IT Support At HubtelIT: 5 Mistakes That Can Leave You Vulnerable To A Cyber-Attack

An estimated 612,000 UK businesses reported a cyber security breach or attack in the past 12 months, according to a Government report highlighting the evolving threat.

But it’s not just companies that have to be on guard as anyone can fall victim to cruel scammers and risk losing private data or hard-earned savings.

Now, Neil Bayliss, director of IT support experts HubtelIT has outlined five common mistakes that can put you at risk – and how to avoid them.

He said: “The internet plays an integral role in our everyday lives, from communicating with loved ones or colleagues and scrolling through social media to managing important life admin tasks.

“However, heartless scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to trick unsuspecting victims, so it’s vital to be aware of how to be cyber secure.

“It’s said that up to 95 percent of cybercrime is down to human error, and there are a few common mistakes that many people make that can increase their risk of being targeted.

“Being aware of common pitfalls such as clicking unreliable links, using weak or reused passwords or simply being a little too careless with your online activity could go a long way to keeping you safe.

“Anyone can fall victim to cybercrime and fraudsters know all the tricks in the book, so it’s important to play your part by being aware of the dangers.

“For UK businesses, particularly those in manufacturing and supply-chain heavy industries, the message is clear, cyber resilience can no longer be optional.

“At Hubtel IT, we’ve developed our Cyber-Hub solution to help organisations mitigate risk and achieve complete cyber confidence. It’s built on layered protection, covering technology, people, and recovery.”

Hubtel IT is a leading IT support provider in Birmingham, delivering services such as cyber security solutions, hosted telephony and managed print to SMEs, schools and charities.

Five Common Mistakes That Can Leave You Vulnerable To Cybercrime And How To Avoid Them

Clicking Unreliable Links

Perhaps one of the biggest culprits when it comes to falling victim to cybercrime is clicking on ‘phishing’ links which lead to untrustworthy websites.

They can lead you to download malware without you even knowing or to input personal data in the mistaken belief you are dealing with a legitimate website.

They often look extremely similar to their real counterparts, but red flags that you are dealing with a dodgy site include shortened URLs, numbers, symbols or misspelled words.

Connecting To Unsecured Public WiFi Networks

While free access to WiFi may seem like a tempting idea when in a public place such as a train station, coffee shop or airport, it can be risky.

These networks often lack adequate encryption and data is sent as plain text, which criminals can often intercept, and you may be more open to malware attacks.

If you must connect to a public WiFi network, you should consider safety measures such as using a VPN, blocking cookies and ads with a browser extension or turning off file sharing before connecting.

Using Weak Or Reused Passwords

Employing robust passwords is one of the best defences you have against falling victim to cybercrime.

On the other hand, using one that is easily guessable or that you have used across various platforms can have dangerous consequences.

To protect yourself better, it’s advised to choose strong and unique combinations for each account and to use multi-factor authentication wherever possible.

Ignoring Important Software Updates

Software updates are an important way to make sure you are receiving the best and latest service, to maintain security, maximise performance and utilise new features.

Failing to keep up with the curve can leave your device vulnerable to hackers who have identified weaknesses in the software to exploit.

Adopt the habit of installing software updates as soon as they become available, rather than kicking the can down the road and leaving yourself at greater risk.

Underestimating Risk

The stark reality is that anyone can fall victim to cybercrime, no matter how tech-savvy or security conscious they may be.

Don’t fall into the trap of believing that this only happens to other people, or that you would have no trouble recognising a potential threat if it comes your way.

Everyone has a duty to do what they can to keep themselves safe online and play their part in the fight against cybercrime.