Did you know that your webcam and even your home or office internet router can be the gateway through which cyber criminals gain access to your most sensitive data? If not, don’t panic—we have helpful tips below from the experts at the National Cyber Security Alliance to ensure that you head off this type of malicious action.

1. Educate yourself about maintaining the security of all your devices. We’ve all read about the need to reset passwords on our smartphones, tablets and home computers—and not to connect to unsecured networks. The same precautions should be taken with all the devices you use to connect to the web, such as web cams and routers.
2.  Keep up with your apps. We’ve all done it…downloaded an app that we no longer use and allow to sit on our device. Hackers are always looking for easy ways to access data and a “stale” app is one way to do it. To prevent this, check your devices periodically and delete apps you no longer use.
3. Know what you are buying. Before you purchase any device, conduct your own research to see if it has a reputation for security issues. Look for an alternative product if the one you are considering has been compromised in the past.
4. Revisit your home and office router regularly. Cyber security experts advise that every business and home owner who uses an internet router should schedule routine maintenance for it. This is as simple as using a strong password and changing it regularly, but it’s a step that too many people fail to take—leaving them vulnerable to a cyber attack.

Take a few minutes out of your schedule on a monthly basis to keep your home and office protected by following these tips. It just might save you and your business from a costly and disruptive cyber crime.