Account Security: How To Protect Your Brand From Hackers

Hackers always deploy dozens of attack methods to compromise online accounts. This is because your social media accounts, email systems, and financial platforms store sensitive data that criminals want.

They exploit public Wi-Fi networks, trick you into downloading malicious software, use phishing links to steal credentials, and capitalize on weak passwords. Each vulnerability is an entry point that threatens your business operations and brand reputation.

So, in this post, we'll cover six essential security practices that protect your accounts from unauthorized access. You'll learn how to avoid common traps that lead to data breaches, strengthen your authentication methods, and secure the devices you use daily for business operations.

1. Don't Access Personal, Financial, And Business Data With Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks create direct pathways for hackers to intercept your data. Coffee shops, airports, and hotels offer convenient internet access, but these networks lack the security controls that protect your information from prying eyes.

This may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised by how many people connect to random free networks they find. The biggest threat comes from man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks.

A man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack happens when hackers intercept communication between two parties without their knowledge. They eavesdrop on conversations and potentially alter or steal the data being exchanged. These attacks give criminals access to login credentials, financial information, and confidential business communications.

These attacks have contributed to the growing data breach crisis, with over 35.9 billion known breaches recorded globally as of May 2024, according to Securus Communications.

So, instead of using free Wi-Fi, get yourself a travel eSim when visiting other countries, or invest in a good mobile data package. The cost of secure connectivity is minimal compared to the headache of figuring out how you were hacked and what data was exposed.

2. Turn Off Anything You Don't Need

Your phone contains features that make daily tasks convenient, but leaving them active when not in use creates security vulnerabilities. Bluetooth, mobile data, Wi-Fi, and location services all broadcast signals that hackers can exploit to access your information.

Hackers use specific techniques to exploit these features and gather your personal information, location, and connection data. For example, here are some of the attack methods they use:

1. Bluejacking (Bluetooth Hacking): These attacks specifically exploit the Bluetooth connection on your device. If your Bluetooth is left on and discoverable, hackers in close physical range can use techniques like Bluesnarfing to access and steal data like contacts, messages, and possibly location information without your knowledge.
2. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: As mentioned above, MitM attacks happen when hackers secretly intercept the communication between your phone and a website or service. They often exploit vulnerable connections, like when you connect to a compromised or fake public Wi-Fi hotspot. If your Wi-Fi is on, they can position themselves in the middle to steal your data, including personal information and credentials.
3. Spyware/Malware Attacks: Spyware is malicious software installed on your phone or computer. While it's often installed through a malicious link or app (not just features), once installed, the spyware can take advantage of features like GPS/location services, microphone, and camera to constantly track your location and steal all your personal data.

So, instead of keeping your GPS, Bluetooth, wireless connection, and geo-tracking on all the time, just turn them on when you need them. This simple practice significantly reduces your attack surface and makes it harder for criminals to target your devices.

3. Choose Your Apps And Software Wisely

Every app and program you install creates potential security vulnerabilities. Malicious software often disguises itself as legitimate tools, waiting to steal your information or compromise your accounts once installed.

That’s why you should only download apps and software from trustworthy sources. For example, if you want to install a program on your computer, visit the official website and download it there. Avoid downloading software from repositories because you can't be sure who's meddled with the code there.

Also, install apps directly from the App Store and Google Play Store. If you didn't know, it's possible to sideload apps (installing apps obtained from a third-party source rather than an official retailer).

The problem with sideloading is that you can never be fully sure the software you are installing is safe. That's why you should be very careful with any software you install on your devices, especially if you use them for work.

Here's our recommendation:

1. Always download apps and software from official websites only. This ensures you get legitimate versions without modifications that could compromise your security.
2. Get rid of old apps and software you don't use. Sometimes apps are updated after they've gotten enough traction to infect as many devices as possible.
3. Make sure you update your software and apps regularly. Updates often include security patches that protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

4. Use A Strong Password, Lock Screen, And Enable Encryption

Weak passwords continue to be one of the most common security vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. When your passwords are easy to guess or crack, criminals can access your accounts, steal sensitive data, and compromise your business operations.

Make sure your passwords are at least 14 characters long (ideally 20 or more), with a mix of upper and lower case letters, and include numbers and other special characters. According to Hive Systems, those passwords would take hackers approximately 805 billion years to crack through brute force methods.

For added security, never use the auto-complete feature for passwords on browsers and password managers. It can be intercepted, bypassing your efforts to create strong credentials.

Also, use the storage encryption feature on your phone to protect your private data. Encryption scrambles your information so that even if someone gains physical access to your device, they can't read your stored data without the encryption key.

Lastly, set your screen to timeout after three minutes or less to reduce your attack surface. This automatic lock prevents unauthorized access if you leave your device unattended, creating an additional layer of protection for your sensitive information.

5. Be Skeptical About Links And Attachments

Phishing is the most common way hackers use to take over accounts, impersonate brands, and steal personal information. These attacks work because they exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities, making them effective against even security-conscious users.

Historically, attackers used email as the main medium of attack. However, the biggest problem now is that they are increasingly using social media to phish for targets. This shift makes phishing harder to detect because social media messages often appear to come from trusted connections.

As a rule of thumb, if you're not sure about the source, don't click the link or open the attachment. Verify the sender's identity through a separate communication channel before taking any action on suspicious messages.

And if you want to increase your online security, use a social media security tool like Spikerz to actively monitor your accounts. Spikerz monitors your accounts 24/7 to make sure that even if you were to click a phishing link and your credentials are exposed, you never lose access to your accounts.

Here's how it works:

1. Say your account gets breached and an attacker logs in to your social media account.
2. Spikerz will immediately notice the unusual login.
3. Kick the intruder out of your account.
4. Automatically change your password.
5. Notify you about the event so you are aware of what just happened.

Spikerz also makes it easy for companies and content creators to know who has access to their social media accounts at any time. You can see this in your "Asset Protection" dashboard. That way if someone leaves your organization, you can immediately revoke access to your account and ensure only approved people can interact with it.

So, if you want to protect your social media presence with 24/7 monitoring, create a Spikerz account and stop worrying about your online hackers.

6. Secure Your Local Devices

If your devices are ever lost or stolen, securing them properly ensures your data remains protected. Without proper device security, anyone who finds your phone or laptop can potentially access your personal information, business data, and online accounts.

You can set up your device to lock itself after a pre-set number of failed log-in attempts. This includes both your mobile devices and laptop. Most operating systems include this feature in their security settings, though the specific location varies by device.

That way, even if you lose access to your devices, unauthorized people won't be able to easily get access to your personal, financial, or business data.

Consider also enabling remote wipe capabilities on your devices. If your device is stolen, you can remotely erase all data to prevent criminals from accessing your information. This feature provides peace of mind when physical security is compromised.

Conclusion

Account security isn't about implementing one perfect solution. It's about creating multiple layers of defense that work together. Each practice we've covered addresses a specific vulnerability that hackers exploit daily.

The businesses that survive in the digital landscape are those that take action before a breach happens. They understand that security isn't a one-time setup but an ongoing commitment to protecting their digital assets.

That’s why you shouldn’t wait for a security incident to reveal your vulnerabilities. Start implementing these practices now, make them part of your daily routine, and use professional security tools like Spikerz to monitor what you can't watch yourself.

Your brand's future depends on the security decisions you make today.