It is critical to ensure that you protect your company’s data. It is highly likely that you have a substantial amount of sensitive information that can be devastating in the wrong hands. Understanding the signs that your data has been breached can significantly help you to act quickly and protect your important information. Here are some of the most important signs to look out for that may indicate that your data has been breached.
The Importance of Knowing when your Data has Been Breached
It is extremely important to know when your data has been breached. This will significantly help you to prevent various issues from arising and protecting your company and your customers. The sensitive information that your company has can be devastating when it falls into the wrong hands. This can occur in multiple ways, such as phishing attacks. When you are aware that your data has been breached, you will be able to act more quickly in order to protect your sensitive information. Understanding the signs that your data has been breached can go a long way toward protecting your company.
Inform Employees
Training your employees is an important component of protecting your company’s valuable data. It is critical to ensure that they are able to spot phishing attacks and refrain from clicking on harmful links. This can go a long way toward protecting your critical information. Proper training can go a long way toward caring for the sensitive information that is stored by your company.
Presence of Odd Usernames
Pay attention to the usernames that are present in your system. Odd usernames may indicate that someone is present in your system that shouldn’t be. Some commonly used usernames that may indicate a security breach is admin, test, guest, or another variation of these usernames.
Critical File Changes
One strategy that hackers use is to immediately change, modify, or disable critical files and systems. This is generally done in order to prolong their detection and prevent them from being caught. When they disable your critical files, it is highly likely that you will allocate all of your resources toward resolving the underlying issue. When you do this, the hacker will be able to avoid detection. If an issue like this arises with your system, you should be aware that there may be a breach in the security of your company. Ensure that you have measures set in place to handle this situation and find a hacker.
Unusually Slow Internet
When your internet seems to be running much more slowly than usual, it is possible that you are experiencing a security breach. This same thing applies to equipment that may be functioning much more slowly than usual. Pay attention to the changes in internet speed. If there is no other potential explanation for the slow internet, it is likely that your security has been breached.
Malfunctioning Devices
Issues with the devices in your office can indicate the presence of a hacker. If a device starts having issues, is functioning much more slowly, or is otherwise not working as intended, it is possible that it is the result of a security breach. Random popup ads or notifications may additionally serve as a sign of a security breach.
Obvious Device Tampering
When a device has obviously been tampered with, it may be the result of a security breach. Whether this tampering was done in the building or remotely, it can still indicate that the device is unsafe. One sign of this is a device that is running after it was turned off. It is important to train your employees to not log in or work on a device that appears to have been tampered with. If they login to a device after it has been tampered with, it is possible that the hacker will gain access to sensitive information. Though this is often computers, it is also important to look at other devices in your office. For example, a Bluetooth printer may begin malfunctioning due to a malicious intruder.
Locked User Accounts
Everyone has had the experience of forgetting a password to access their accounts, especially if they have just recently had to change their password. However, getting locked out of a user account is a sign of a security breach. If you are completely certain that you have the right password for the account but are unable to access the account, it is possible that a hacker has breached your security and stolen your information! If you are positive that you are using the right password, don’t simply change the password and move on. Make sure that there hasn’t been a breach in your security and that your information is still protected. You should also ensure that good usernames and unique passwords are used.
Unusual Outbound Traffic
It is crucial to ensure that you regularly monitor your company’s internet traffic. If there is an abnormal amount or strange kind of outbound traffic, it is possible that your business is in the midst of a security breach.
Abnormal Administrative User Activity
Administrative accounts are often incredibly important for a business’s regular operations. However, abnormal activity on an administrative user’s account may indicate that something is wrong with the system. It is possible that there has been a security breach that can be devastating to your company.
Regularly Run Scans
Many issues can arise when your company experiences a security breach. Due to the devastating nature of breaches, it is important to regularly run scans on your technology. This can help to identify problems early on and prevent breaches from occurring in the first place. Outsourcing your IT to a professional company can also aid in protecting your company’s crucial data.
Here at Crossaction Computers, we have the expertise necessary to protect your business’s technology requirements and ensure that it continues to function as intended. These services can help to prevent security breaches, protect your technology from viruses, and provide a large array of other benefits. To learn more about the signs that your business has experienced a security breach or the services that we offer, contact our expert team at Crossaction Computers today!
