Technology is not just good for legitimate businesses – it’s also constantly providing criminals with new ways to commit fraud. One of the latest is ransomware, whereby hackers use malware to encrypt files stored on servers and then demand payment to restore the data – usually in the form of untraceable Bitcoins.
Sorting out the resulting mess takes a lot of time and effort and can be extremely stressful. These five simple steps will help you to keep your servers secure.
1 Be password savvy
Hackers target the weakest point of a server’s security, which is often the password. So choose only strong passwords – ideally containing a mix of upper and lower-case letters and numbers – that are not easily discovered and that you don’t use elsewhere. Change them regularly and remember to disable unwanted user accounts, for example when an employee leaves.
2 Back up regularly
We know it can be a chore but it’s essential to back up all your data securely and at regular intervals. Set up automated back-ups to run daily, sending data to a different physical location.
3 Don’t neglect your upgrades
However busy you are, make sure you find time to install all the recommended upgrades and patches for your server so the security is always up to date.
4 Switch off when you’re done
Always switch off remote desktop access (RDP). If you need this type of access set your firewall to allow only users from specific IP addresses.
5 Protect your dashboard
Have a separate password for your server dashboard and keep it extra safe. The server dashboard allows complete access to your server so you need to be extra careful.
For further advice on server security, please contact the easyLog team.