IT Security Tip #21: Rules to Keeping Your Data Safe in the Cloud

If you’re using any kind of cloud application (and these days, who isn’t?), you are right to be concerned about data privacy and security. The company hosting your data is ultimately responsible for keeping hackers out of THEIR network, but most cloud breaches are due to USER ERROR. So it’s important that you, the user, are being smart about security. Here are a few things you can easily do to improve security in the cloud:

1. Maintain a STRONG password of at least eight characters with both uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Do NOT make it easy, such as “Password123!”. While that technically meets the requirements, a hacker could easily crack that.
2. Make sure the device you’re using to access the application is secure. This is an area where you need professional help in installing and maintaining a strong firewall, antivirus and spam-filtering software. Don’t access your cloud application with a device you also use to check social media sites and free e-mail accounts like Hotmail.
3. “Reverse”-backup your data. If the data in a cloud application is important, make sure you’re downloading it from the application and backing it up in another safe and secure location. That way, if your account is hacked or the data is corrupted, you have a copy.

Formatting Made Easy with Styles

Styles like Heading 1 let you reformat on the fly, navigate long documents, and instantly get an updatable table of contents.

For each of the main headings in your document, click anywhere in the paragraph (don’t select anything). Then go to the Home tab and select Heading 1.

Now you can apply themes, make a table of contents, and use the Navigation Pane to jump to different parts of your document.

Shortcut of the Week

You can hold down the Alt key while dragging and highlighting text in a text editor allowing you to selectively highlight text. Highlighting text this way is useful if the paragraph or other text is in a column.

The Computer Center’s Weekly Webinar Series

Take advantage of The Computer Center’s webinar series that helps you learn how to protect your small business and your employees without leaving your office!

• May 23 – The End of Windows 7: Is it Really an Issue for Your Business?
• May 30 Practical Cyber Security for Your Small Business or How to Keep the Bad Guys Out Without Breaking the Bank
• June 6 – Free Productivity Enhancing Tools Included with Office 365 That You Probably Aren’t Using in Your Business
• June 13 – Protecting Your Business and Employees from ID Theft and Phishing Scams
• June 20 – The End of Windows 7: Is it Really an Issue for Your Business?

And then at the end of June, please join us for an in-person Seminar

• June 27 – Cyber Security Seminar

Follow the link to register for more information.

Have an unfortunate co-worker that’s not getting a copy of the TCC Tuesday Tidbits? Forward them your copy. Or, better yet, have them sign up at https://computer-center.com/tidbits/

Submit your TCC Tuesday Tidbit requests and ideas to me by calling (608) 755-1524.

Sincerely,

James Pearson, President
The Computer Center
One Parker Pl, Ste. #655
Janesville, WI 53545
(608) 755-1524