Seven Debunked Myths of Cybersecurity

Article by Kristin Herman, a writer and editor at Ukwritings.com and Academized.com

The term 'cybersecurity' has been tossed around lately. But although cybersecurity has been viewed as a saving grace for mobile devices, computers, etc. the topic is still cloaked in misconception. Things that might pop up, when it comes to cybersecurity, are:

• The idea of security
• Password strength
• Who cybersecurity threats target and affect
• If insurance will cover damages
• How effective an IT team actually is
• Cybersecurity “costs”
• What devices are most vulnerable to malware?

However, as one side says one thing, while the other side contests it, it’s easy to get caught up in believing the wrong things. In fact, a lot of people get it all wrong. So, to understand the truth about cybersecurity, then check out this quick guide, which will cover seven of the most debunked myths about the subject matter:

1. “Physical Security and Cybersecurity are Two Different Things”
“The truth is, physical security is not separate from cybersecurity,” says Angela Macquarie, a business writer at Academized and Oxessays. “Both can help safeguard machines and paper documents. And, while both can function online and offline, the things they protect will hold sensitive data, which can be at risk of being exposed if the owner or holder is not careful.”

2. “Having a Good Password Protects You”
When it comes to passwords, you can leave anything to chance. And even as weak passwords are still commonplace, it’s hard to imagine many people using passwords like “123456” or “qwerty,” especially after being warned not to do so. Therefore, it’s imperative to complicate your passwords – make it difficult for other people to figure out. And, always update your passwords, so that you can be one step ahead of cybercriminals every time.

3. “Cybercriminals only Attack Large Businesses”
Wrong. Cybercriminals will go after any type of business – big or small. Since cyber thieves don’t discriminate, it’s important to keep your devices and data safe with an effective cybersecurity framework, regardless of the size of a business.

4. “Insurance will cover Cybersecurity Breaches”
Wrong again. In actuality, most insurance policies won’t cover businesses in the event of a data breach. While some policies might cover financial losses that have transpired from it, most policies won’t.

So, when shopping around for business-related insurance, make sure that policies will be able to compensate you whenever the dreaded breach springs up at any time. Or, you can buy insurance and cybersecurity separately. Purchasing cyber and data insurance will be worth the investment if you’re looking to protect customer and or sensitive data from infiltration.

5. “The IT Team has you Covered”
Think that IT teams can save your business, whenever data breaches happen? Think again!

While IT staff will most likely know about potential vulnerabilities and hacker techniques, they still can’t control all the elements involved. Your IT staff, instead, will only act as a human firewall to prevent breaches that stem from human error. Therefore, make it your job to add more layers of protection, besides your IT team.

6. “Cybersecurity is Costly”
“When people think about cybersecurity, they assume that investing in it will cost hundreds, or thousands, of dollars,” says Sheila Flynn, a marketing blogger at Boom Essays and Paper Fellows. “However, having a strong human firewall to defend you against cybercrime is entirely free – apart from creating an IT security policy and training staff. Investment can go a long way, as cybersecurity will greatly benefit your business.”

As such, consider consulting a cybersecurity expert, or look into comprehensive training and advice from cybersecurity experts, to help you put together an effective system that will protect all of your devices and data.

7. “Viruses only affect Desktops”
As technology continues to evolve – especially with more advanced smartphones and tablets working in almost the same capacity as computers – viruses aren’t just a computer thing. In fact, smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices can fall victim to malware, if the user doesn’t have enough protection for them. And although it only took Internet access for malware to get to computers, other devices that connect to the Internet are still just as vulnerable to viruses.

Conclusion
As you read through these seven debunked myths, we hope that you have a better understanding of cybersecurity. The ultimate goal of this guide is to keep you – the device user – informed. By learning how cybercriminals work, and learning the truth about today’s debunked myths, you’ll learn from the mistakes that you might be making now with your devices, and fix them right away.

About the Author: Kristin Herman is a writer and editor at Ukwritings.com and Stateofwriting.com. She is also a contributing writer for online publications, such as Essayroo.com. As a marketing writer, she blogs about the latest trends in online advertising and social media influencing.