As a creative professional, you rely on your computer and the internet to run your business. Whether you’re a graphic designer, web developer, or musician, your livelihood depends on being able to access these tools whenever you need them. Unfortunately, this also makes you a target for cybercriminals.
There are many ways that hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in your systems to steal your data or disrupt your business. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the potential threats and take steps to protect yourself. Here are 6 ways that you can safeguard your creative business from cyberattacks.
Make use of cybersecurity site integrations
In order to protect your website from cyber threats, you should use site integrations like Google’s Safe Browsing and Web of Trust. These integrations help to identify unsafe websites and warn you before you visit them. There are plenty of great third-party integrations that can make your website exponentially safer, so be sure to do your research and find the right ones for you. You might consider these sorts of measures just one among several necessary investments in your cybersecurity as a creative professional.
Use passwords that are difficult to guess
Depending on your niche, you likely have many different subscriptions and paid services that you use to do work for your clients. While these tools can make your work easier, they also provide criminals with an opportunity to access your accounts and steal client data or sensitive company information.
To protect yourself, it’s important to use strong passwords that are difficult to guess. A good password should be at least eight characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You should never use easily guessed words like “password” or your name. Consider using password randomization tools that will create very long alphanumeric passwords and then storing them in a password manager like LastPass.
Keep your software up to date
One of the best ways to protect your computer from viruses and other malware is to keep your software up to date. Many software programs will automatically install security updates, but it’s a good idea to check for updates on a regular basis to be sure you have the latest protection.
You can usually find information about updates in the “Help” or “Support” section of the software program’s website. It is a good idea to enable automatic updates for the programs you use and schedule them for times when you are not at your computer or desk so that they don’t interfere with your work.
Back up your work
Backing up your work is important for two reasons. First, it protects you in case your computer crashes, and you lose all your files. Second, it protects you from ransomware, which is a type of malware that encrypts your files and holds them hostage until you pay a ransom.
There are a few different ways you can back up your files, including using an external hard drive, cloud storage, or a backup service. The last thing you want as a creative is to lose lost client data and projects, so be sure to back up your work on a regular basis.
Use antivirus and antispyware software
Antivirus software helps protect your computer from viruses, which are programs that can damage or destroy your computer. Antispyware software helps protect your computer from spyware, which is a type of malware that can track your activities and steal your personal information.
It’s important to have both antivirus and antispyware software installed on your computer and to keep them up to date. You can usually find information about updates in the “Help” or “Support” section of the software program’s website. This is particularly important for digital nomad creatives who work from locations around the world and have to access the internet through public and unsecured wifi connections on a regular basis.
Educate yourself
If you are creative, it’s important to educate yourself about the latest cyber threats and how to protect your business. There are many great resources available, including articles like this one and free online courses. You need to be aware of what the latest phishing techniques are, the common ways that cybercriminals make use of ransomware and what kind of social media-related scams to watch out for.
Be sure to stay up to date on the latest security threats, and take steps to protect your business. Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, and despite perhaps not being overly interested in this area of your business, it merits your time to become better versed in it.
Conclusion
There are a few simple things you can do to protect your business from cyber threats, including using strong passwords, keeping your software up to date, backing up your work, and using site integrations. You should also educate yourself about the latest security threats and take steps to protect your business. Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so it’s important to stay up to date on the latest threats and protect your business accordingly.
