urlscan.io logo urlscan.io
SecurityTrails logo

www.techrepublic.com Open in urlscan Pro
151.101.2.132  Public Scan

Back to summary
URL: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-best-practices-an-open-letter-to-end-users/?ftag=CMG-01-10aaa1b
Submission Tags: falconsandbox
Submission: On May 26 via api from US — Scanned from DE

Form analysis 8 forms found in the DOM

/search/

<form action="/search/" class="search-bar">
  <label id="label-nav-site-search" for="nav-site-search"> Search </label>
  <input type="search" autocomplete="off" name="q" id="nav-site-search" value="" placeholder="What are you looking for?" required="">
  <button type="submit" disabled="disabled">
    <svg role="img" aria-labelledby="label-nav-site-search">
      <use href="#smart-search-icon"></use>
    </svg>
  </button>
</form>

POST https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-best-practices-an-open-letter-to-end-users/

<form method="POST" action="https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-best-practices-an-open-letter-to-end-users/">
  <input type="email" class="read-write" aria-label="Enter your email" name="join-signin-email" placeholder="Enter your email" autofocus="" required="">
  <input type="submit" value="Continue" class="btn-trigger">
</form>

POST https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-best-practices-an-open-letter-to-end-users/?ftag=CMG-01-10aaa1b?tr-login=1

<form method="POST" action="https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-best-practices-an-open-letter-to-end-users/?ftag=CMG-01-10aaa1b?tr-login=1">
  <input type="hidden" name="redirect_to" value="https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-best-practices-an-open-letter-to-end-users/?ftag=CMG-01-10aaa1b">
  <input type="email" name="join-signin-email" value="" readonly="" required="" class="readonly">
  <input type="password" name="signin-pw" aria-label="Enter your password" placeholder="Enter your password" autofocus="" required="" class="read-write">
  <input id="submit-login" type="submit" value="Continue" class="btn-trigger">
</form>

POST 

<form method="POST" id="forgot-pw">
  <input type="hidden" name="forgot-pw" value="1">
  <input type="hidden" name="join-signin-email" value="">
  <input type="submit" value="Forgot password" class="forgot-pw">
</form>

POST https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-best-practices-an-open-letter-to-end-users/?tr-login=1

<form action="https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-best-practices-an-open-letter-to-end-users/?tr-login=1" method="post">
  <input type="hidden" name="redirect_to" value="https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-best-practices-an-open-letter-to-end-users/">
  <input type="email" name="join-signin-email" value="" class="readonly" readonly="" required="">
  <input type="text" class="read-write" aria-label="Enter a username" name="username" value="" placeholder="Enter a unique username" required="">
  <input type="password" name="join-pw" class="read-write" autofocus="" aria-label="Choose a password" placeholder="Choose a password" required="">
  <select id="country" name="country" class="readonly" required="">
    <option value="NOTSELECTED">Country</option>
    <option value="US"> United States </option>
    <option value="AF"> Afghanistan </option>
    <option value="AX"> Aland Islands </option>
    <option value="AL"> Albania </option>
    <option value="DZ"> Algeria </option>
    <option value="AS"> American Samoa </option>
    <option value="AD"> Andorra </option>
    <option value="AO"> Angola </option>
    <option value="AI"> Anguilla </option>
    <option value="AQ"> Antarctica </option>
    <option value="AG"> Antigua And Barbuda </option>
    <option value="AR"> Argentina </option>
    <option value="AM"> Armenia </option>
    <option value="AW"> Aruba </option>
    <option value="AU"> Australia </option>
    <option value="AT"> Austria </option>
    <option value="AZ"> Azerbaijan </option>
    <option value="BS"> Bahamas </option>
    <option value="BH"> Bahrain </option>
    <option value="BD"> Bangladesh </option>
    <option value="BB"> Barbados </option>
    <option value="BY"> Belarus </option>
    <option value="BE"> Belgium </option>
    <option value="BZ"> Belize </option>
    <option value="BJ"> Benin </option>
    <option value="BM"> Bermuda </option>
    <option value="BT"> Bhutan </option>
    <option value="BO"> Bolivia </option>
    <option value="BA"> Bosnia and Herzegovina </option>
    <option value="BW"> Botswana </option>
    <option value="BV"> Bouvet Island </option>
    <option value="BR"> Brazil </option>
    <option value="IO"> British Indian Ocean Territory </option>
    <option value="BN"> Brunei Darussalam </option>
    <option value="BG"> Bulgaria </option>
    <option value="BF"> Burkina Faso </option>
    <option value="BI"> Burundi </option>
    <option value="KH"> Cambodia </option>
    <option value="CM"> Cameroon </option>
    <option value="CA"> Canada </option>
    <option value="CV"> Cape Verde </option>
    <option value="BQ"> Caribbean Netherlands </option>
    <option value="KY"> Cayman Islands </option>
    <option value="CF"> Central African Republic </option>
    <option value="TD"> Chad </option>
    <option value="CL"> Chile </option>
    <option value="CN"> China </option>
    <option value="CX"> Christmas Island </option>
    <option value="CC"> Cocos (Keeling) Islands </option>
    <option value="CO"> Colombia </option>
    <option value="KM"> Comoros </option>
    <option value="CG"> Congo </option>
    <option value="CD"> Congo, DROC </option>
    <option value="CK"> Cook Islands </option>
    <option value="CR"> Costa Rica </option>
    <option value="CI"> Cote D'ivoire </option>
    <option value="HR"> Croatia </option>
    <option value="CU"> Cuba </option>
    <option value="CW"> Curazao </option>
    <option value="CY"> Cyprus </option>
    <option value="CZ"> Czech Republic </option>
    <option value="DK"> Denmark </option>
    <option value="DJ"> Djibouti </option>
    <option value="DM"> Dominica </option>
    <option value="DO"> Dominican Republic </option>
    <option value="TL"> East Timor </option>
    <option value="EC"> Ecuador </option>
    <option value="EG"> Egypt </option>
    <option value="SV"> El Salvador </option>
    <option value="GQ"> Equatorial Guinea </option>
    <option value="ER"> Eritrea </option>
    <option value="EE"> Estonia </option>
    <option value="ET"> Ethiopia </option>
    <option value="FK"> Falkland Islands (Malvinas) </option>
    <option value="FO"> Faroe Islands </option>
    <option value="FJ"> Fiji </option>
    <option value="FI"> Finland </option>
    <option value="FR"> France </option>
    <option value="GF"> French Guiana </option>
    <option value="PF"> French Polynesia </option>
    <option value="TF"> French Southern Territories </option>
    <option value="GA"> Gabon </option>
    <option value="GM"> Gambia </option>
    <option value="GE"> Georgia </option>
    <option value="DE"> Germany </option>
    <option value="GH"> Ghana </option>
    <option value="GI"> Gibraltar </option>
    <option value="GR"> Greece </option>
    <option value="GL"> Greenland </option>
    <option value="GD"> Grenada </option>
    <option value="GP"> Guadeloupe </option>
    <option value="GU"> Guam </option>
    <option value="GT"> Guatemala </option>
    <option value="GG"> Guernsey </option>
    <option value="GN"> Guinea </option>
    <option value="GW"> Guinea-Bissau </option>
    <option value="GY"> Guyana </option>
    <option value="HT"> Haiti </option>
    <option value="HM"> Heard And Mc Donald Islands </option>
    <option value="VA"> Holy See (Vatican City State) </option>
    <option value="HN"> Honduras </option>
    <option value="HK"> Hong Kong </option>
    <option value="HU"> Hungary </option>
    <option value="IS"> Iceland </option>
    <option value="IN"> India </option>
    <option value="ID"> Indonesia </option>
    <option value="IR"> Iran (Islamic Republic Of) </option>
    <option value="IQ"> Iraq </option>
    <option value="IE"> Ireland </option>
    <option value="IM"> Isle of Man </option>
    <option value="IL"> Israel </option>
    <option value="IT"> Italy </option>
    <option value="JM"> Jamaica </option>
    <option value="JP"> Japan </option>
    <option value="JE"> Jersey </option>
    <option value="JO"> Jordan </option>
    <option value="KZ"> Kazakhstan </option>
    <option value="KE"> Kenya </option>
    <option value="KI"> Kiribati </option>
    <option value="KW"> Kuwait </option>
    <option value="KR"> Korea, Republic Of </option>
    <option value="XK"> Kosovo </option>
    <option value="KG"> Kyrgyzstan </option>
    <option value="LA"> Lao People's Democratic Republic </option>
    <option value="LV"> Latvia </option>
    <option value="KP"> Korea, Democratic People's Republic of </option>
    <option value="LB"> Lebanon </option>
    <option value="LS"> Lesotho </option>
    <option value="LR"> Liberia </option>
    <option value="LY"> Libyan Arab Jamahiriya </option>
    <option value="LI"> Liechtenstein </option>
    <option value="LT"> Lithuania </option>
    <option value="LU"> Luxembourg </option>
    <option value="MO"> Macau </option>
    <option value="MK"> Macedonia </option>
    <option value="MG"> Madagascar </option>
    <option value="MW"> Malawi </option>
    <option value="MY"> Malaysia </option>
    <option value="MV"> Maldives </option>
    <option value="ML"> Mali </option>
    <option value="MT"> Malta </option>
    <option value="MH"> Marshall Islands </option>
    <option value="MQ"> Martinique </option>
    <option value="MR"> Mauritania </option>
    <option value="MU"> Mauritius </option>
    <option value="YT"> Mayotte </option>
    <option value="MX"> Mexico </option>
    <option value="FM"> Micronesia, Federated States of </option>
    <option value="MD"> Moldova, Republic Of </option>
    <option value="MC"> Monaco </option>
    <option value="MN"> Mongolia </option>
    <option value="ME"> Montenegro </option>
    <option value="MS"> Montserrat </option>
    <option value="MA"> Morocco </option>
    <option value="MZ"> Mozambique </option>
    <option value="MM"> Myanmar </option>
    <option value="NA"> Namibia </option>
    <option value="NR"> Nauru </option>
    <option value="NP"> Nepal </option>
    <option value="NL"> Netherlands </option>
    <option value="AN"> Netherlands Antilles </option>
    <option value="NC"> New Caledonia </option>
    <option value="NZ"> New Zealand </option>
    <option value="NI"> Nicaragua </option>
    <option value="NE"> Niger </option>
    <option value="NG"> Nigeria </option>
    <option value="NU"> Niue </option>
    <option value="NF"> Norfolk Island </option>
    <option value="MP"> Northern Mariana Islands </option>
    <option value="NO"> Norway </option>
    <option value="OM"> Oman </option>
    <option value="PK"> Pakistan </option>
    <option value="PW"> Palau </option>
    <option value="PS"> Palestinian Territory, Occupied </option>
    <option value="PA"> Panama </option>
    <option value="PG"> Papua New Guinea </option>
    <option value="PY"> Paraguay </option>
    <option value="PE"> Peru </option>
    <option value="PH"> Philippines </option>
    <option value="PN"> Pitcairn </option>
    <option value="PL"> Poland </option>
    <option value="PT"> Portugal </option>
    <option value="PR"> Puerto Rico </option>
    <option value="QA"> Qatar </option>
    <option value="RE"> Reunion </option>
    <option value="RO"> Romania </option>
    <option value="RU"> Russia </option>
    <option value="RW"> Rwanda </option>
    <option value="GS"> S. Georgia And S. Sandwich Isles </option>
    <option value="BL"> Saint Barthelemy </option>
    <option value="KN"> Saint Kitts And Nevis </option>
    <option value="LC"> Saint Lucia </option>
    <option value="MF"> Saint Martin </option>
    <option value="VC"> Saint Vincent And The Grenadines </option>
    <option value="WS"> Samoa </option>
    <option value="SM"> San Marino </option>
    <option value="ST"> Sao Tome And Principe </option>
    <option value="SA"> Saudi Arabia </option>
    <option value="SN"> Senegal </option>
    <option value="RS"> Serbia </option>
    <option value="CS"> Serbia and Montenegro </option>
    <option value="SC"> Seychelles </option>
    <option value="SL"> Sierra Leone </option>
    <option value="SG"> Singapore </option>
    <option value="SX"> Sint Maarten </option>
    <option value="SK"> Slovakia </option>
    <option value="SI"> Slovenia </option>
    <option value="SB"> Solomon Islands </option>
    <option value="SO"> Somalia </option>
    <option value="ZA"> South Africa </option>
    <option value="SS"> South Sudan </option>
    <option value="ES"> Spain </option>
    <option value="LK"> Sri Lanka </option>
    <option value="SH"> St. Helena </option>
    <option value="PM"> St. Pierre And Miquelon </option>
    <option value="SD"> Sudan </option>
    <option value="SR"> Suriname </option>
    <option value="SJ"> Svalbard And Jan Mayen Islands </option>
    <option value="SZ"> Swaziland </option>
    <option value="SE"> Sweden </option>
    <option value="CH"> Switzerland </option>
    <option value="SY"> Syrian Arab Republic </option>
    <option value="TW"> Taiwan </option>
    <option value="TJ"> Tajikistan </option>
    <option value="TZ"> Tanzania, United Republic Of </option>
    <option value="TH"> Thailand </option>
    <option value="TG"> Togo </option>
    <option value="TK"> Tokelau </option>
    <option value="TO"> Tonga </option>
    <option value="TT"> Trinidad And Tobago </option>
    <option value="TN"> Tunisia </option>
    <option value="TR"> Turkey </option>
    <option value="TM"> Turkmenistan </option>
    <option value="TC"> Turks And Caicos Islands </option>
    <option value="TV"> Tuvalu </option>
    <option value="UM"> U.S. Minor Outlying Islands </option>
    <option value="UG"> Uganda </option>
    <option value="UA"> Ukraine </option>
    <option value="AE"> United Arab Emirates </option>
    <option value="GB"> United Kingdom </option>
    <option value="UY"> Uruguay </option>
    <option value="UZ"> Uzbekistan </option>
    <option value="VU"> Vanuatu </option>
    <option value="VE"> Venezuela </option>
    <option value="VN"> Viet Nam </option>
    <option value="VG"> Virgin Islands (British) </option>
    <option value="VI"> Virgin Islands (U.S.) </option>
    <option value="WF"> Wallis And Futuna Islands </option>
    <option value="EH"> Western Sahara </option>
    <option value="YE"> Yemen </option>
    <option value="YU"> Yugoslavia </option>
    <option value="ZM"> Zambia </option>
    <option value="ZW"> Zimbabwe </option>
  </select>
  <label for="tos">
    <input type="checkbox" name="tos" id="tos" required="">
    <span class="terms-of-service">
      <p>By registering, you agree to the <a href=" https://technologyadvice.com/terms-conditions/" target="_blank">Terms of Use</a> and acknowledge the data practices outlined in the
        <a href="https://technologyadvice.com/privacy-policy/" target="_blank">Privacy Policy</a>.</p>
      <p>You will also receive a complimentary subscription to TechRepublic's News and Special Offers newsletter and the Top Story of the Day newsletter. You may unsubscribe from these newsletters at any time.</p>
    </span>
  </label>
  <input id="submit-join" type="submit" value="Continue" class="btn-trigger">
</form>

POST 

<form class="share-email-form" method="post">
  <input type="hidden" name="share-email-title" value="Cybersecurity best practices: An open letter to end users">
  <input type="hidden" name="share-email-url" value="https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-best-practices-an-open-letter-to-end-users/">
  <input type="email" name="from-email" class="read-write" placeholder="Your Email" required="">
  <input type="email" name="to-email" class="read-write" placeholder="Recipient Email" required="">
  <textarea name="msg" class="readonly">Check out this article I found on TechRepublic.</textarea>
  <input type="submit" value="Submit">
  <p class="response-msg">Your email has been sent</p>
</form>

POST 

<form class="share-email-form" method="post">
  <input type="hidden" name="share-email-title" value="Cybersecurity best practices: An open letter to end users">
  <input type="hidden" name="share-email-url" value="https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-best-practices-an-open-letter-to-end-users/">
  <input type="email" name="from-email" class="read-write" placeholder="Your Email" required="">
  <input type="email" name="to-email" class="read-write" placeholder="Recipient Email" required="">
  <textarea name="msg" class="readonly">Check out this article I found on TechRepublic.</textarea>
  <input type="submit" value="Submit">
  <p class="response-msg">Your email has been sent</p>
</form>

POST 

<form class="email-author-form" method="post">
  <input type="hidden" name="author_id" value="37114796">
  <input type="text" name="from-name" class="read-write" placeholder="Your Name" required="">
  <input type="email" name="from-email" class="read-write" placeholder="Your Email" required="">
  <input type="text" name="subject" class="read-write" placeholder="Subject" required="">
  <textarea name="msg" placeholder="Message" required="" class="read-write"></textarea>
  <input type="submit" value="Send Message">
  <p class="response-msg">Your message has been sent</p>
</form>

Text Content

WE VALUE YOUR PRIVACY

We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as cookies
and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information
sent by a device for personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement,
and audience insights, as well as to develop and improve products.With your
permission we and our partners may use precise geolocation data and
identification through device scanning. You may click to consent to our and our
partners’ processing as described above. Alternatively you may access more
detailed information and change your preferences before consenting or to refuse
consenting.Please note that some processing of your personal data may not
require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing. Your
preferences will apply to this website only. You can change your preferences at
any time by returning to this site or visit our privacy policy.
AGREE MORE OPTIONS
Skip to content



TECHREPUBLIC

Search Close
Search


TRENDING NOW

Image: iQoncept/Adobe Stock Article


TOP 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STABLECOINS

Image: Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock Article


DOUBLE YOUR PHONE SCREEN’S SIZE WITH THIS CLEVER MAGNIFIER

Image: bakhtiarzein/Adobe Stock Article


GOOGLE COLAB VS JUPYTER NOTEBOOK: COMPARE DATA SCIENCE SOFTWARE

Image: Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock Article


HOW TO BACK UP A DATABASE WITH BORGMATIC

 * Top Products Lists
 * Developer
 * 5G
 * Security
 * Cloud
 * Artificial Intelligence
 * Tech & Work
 * Mobility
 * Big Data
 * Innovation
 * Cheat Sheets
 * TechRepublic Academy
 * CES

Toggle TechRepublic mobile menu More
 * TechRepublic Premium
 * Top Products Lists
 * Developer
 * 5G
 * Security
 * Cloud
 * Artificial Intelligence
 * Tech & Work
 * Mobility
 * Big Data
 * Innovation
 * Cheat Sheets
 * TechRepublic Academy
 * CES
 * See All Topics

 * Newsletters
 * Forums
 * Resource Library

TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In


ACCOUNT INFORMATION

TechRepublic close modal


JOIN OR SIGN IN

Register for your free TechRepublic membership or if you are already a member,
sign in using your preferred method below.

Use Your Email
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin


JOIN OR SIGN IN



We recently updated our Terms and Conditions for TechRepublic Premium. By
clicking continue, you agree to these updated terms.


WELCOME BACK!



Invalid email/username and password combination supplied.




RESET PASSWORD

An email has been sent to you with instructions on how to reset your password.

Back to TechRepublic


WELCOME TO TECHREPUBLIC!

Country United States Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa
Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua And Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba
Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium
Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet
Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina
Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Caribbean Netherlands Cayman
Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos
(Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, DROC Cook Islands Costa Rica
Cote D'ivoire Croatia Cuba Curazao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti
Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial
Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji
Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon
Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam
Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard And Mc Donald Islands
Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republic Of) Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan
Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Korea, Republic Of Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Korea, Democratic People's
Republic of Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein
Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali
Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic Of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro
Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue
Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian
Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn
Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda S. Georgia And
S. Sandwich Isles Saint Barthelemy Saint Kitts And Nevis Saint Lucia Saint
Martin Saint Vincent And The Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome And Principe
Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone
Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa
South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka St. Helena St. Pierre And Miquelon Sudan Suriname
Svalbard And Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic Of Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga
Trinidad And Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks And Caicos Islands Tuvalu
U.S. Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom
Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands (British) Virgin
Islands (U.S.) Wallis And Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Yugoslavia Zambia
Zimbabwe

By registering, you agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices
outlined in the Privacy Policy.

You will also receive a complimentary subscription to TechRepublic's News and
Special Offers newsletter and the Top Story of the Day newsletter. You may
unsubscribe from these newsletters at any time.

Username must be unique. Password must be a minimum of 6 characters and have any
3 of the 4 items: a number (0 through 9), a special character (such as !, $, #,
%), an uppercase character (A through Z) or a lowercase (a through z) character
(no spaces).

Loading


ACCOUNT INFORMATION

TechRepublic close modal
Image: 1550539, Getty Images/iStockPhoto


CYBERSECURITY BEST PRACTICES: AN OPEN LETTER TO END USERS

 * 
 * 
 * 


 * ACCOUNT INFORMATION
   
   TechRepublic close modal
   
   
   SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS
   
   Cybersecurity best practices: An open letter to end users
   
   Check out this article I found on TechRepublic.
   
   Your email has been sent

by Jack Wallen in Security
on October 1, 2020, 2:16 PM PDT


CYBERSECURITY BEST PRACTICES: AN OPEN LETTER TO END USERS

In an effort to make IT pros' jobs easier, Jack Wallen offers cybersecurity tips
to end users--in particular, what not to do to keep company networks, equipment,
and data secure.




Image: iStockPhoto/1550539


MUST-READ SECURITY COVERAGE

 * Best encryption software 2022
 * The 10 best antivirus products you should consider for your business
 * 8 enterprise password managers and the companies that will love them
 * Security incident response: Critical steps for cyberattack recovery
   (TechRepublic Premium)



First, a note to IT admins about this open letter. The admin’s job is never
done. Ever. Period. End of story. You work all day, you go home, you think about
work, you dream about work, you eat your work feelings, and you do it all over
again.

Part of the reason for this is because you’re always fighting an uphill battle
named end users. I hope the following security advice for end users (which you
might consider passing along to the people you support) helps make your job
easier. And seeing as how it’s Cybersecurity Awareness month, this is the
perfect time to remind your end users just how important it is that they do
their part to keep the company’s data safe from harm. Now that we’re on the same
page, let’s jump on this hayride and see how fast we can go. (Also read:
Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Train employees to be first line of defense.)

SEE: Security Awareness and Training policy (TechRepublic Premium)

Dear end users,

It is not with any pleasure that I write this to you, nor is it intended to make
you feel like you’ve done anything wrong. You might have–you just didn’t realize
it, but don’t worry, you’re not alone. In fact, I imagine many employees that
you work with have fallen prey to one or more of the behaviors that I mention.

With that said, when it comes to keeping your computer safe from malware,
ransomware, evening wear… scrap that last bit. My intended pun will probably
confuse you. Just in case, there is no threat against your PC called “evening
wear,” but you see how easy it is to fall victim to such nonsense? It’s really
easy.

Back to the point. You probably believe magic goes on behind the velvet curtain
labeled IT that protects your computers from harm–and, in a way, there is. Your
IT staff works tirelessly to prevent all of those desktops and servers from
getting hacked or infected with malware, ransomware, and other security threats.
The truth is, those desktops, servers, and networks are only as secure as you
allow them to be.

That’s right, in many instances the burden falls on your shoulders. Don’t
worry–it’s not that hard.

Instead of couching this advice in terms you may or may not understand, I’ll
make it as clear as possible. The best piece of cybersecurity advice I can give
you is this: When in doubt, don’t do it. Such generalities could leaving you
staring blankly at your monitor and unable to function, so here are specific
security best practices.

 * Don’t click suspicious links. If you don’t know if a link is suspicious, ask.

 * Don’t install any software on your PC or phone unless it comes from the
   operating system’s built-in software store.

 * Don’t install browser add-ons unless they are sanctioned by your company.

 * Don’t visit websites that seem dodgy. What is a dodgy website? Products
   advertised on social media, sites that advertise products or services that
   sound too good to be true, sites that want to install applications on your
   computer, or any domain found on a list like the Fake Sites Database.

 * If you absolutely must visit a dodgy site (say you’re doing research for your
   marketing department and want to know why a product is listed as must have),
   do it on a tablet that can easily be reset to factory default and doesn’t
   contain company data.

 * Update your passwords with really strong ones that you can’t memorize. I know
   that’s a pain, but there’s a solution: Ask your IT staff about how to use a
   password manager.

 * Don’t open email attachments that haven’t been checked by your antivirus.

 * Don’t open text messages from unknown senders.

I know this list seems daunting, but it all supports the original idea of, “When
in doubt, don’t do it.”

SEE: Social engineering: A cheat sheet for business professionals (free PDF)
(TechRepublic)

It is no secret that, among IT pros, the pervading feeling is that the weakest
link in a company’s security is the end users, but it doesn’t have to be that
way. All you have to do is stick to the above list of cybersecurity best
practices, and you’ll make the lives of your IT staff exponentially easier.

I don’t mean to lay this all at your feet, but those admins who’ve been working
day and night to keep your PC up and running need a bit of help, and chances are
pretty good they know they can’t look you in the eye and say, “This is your
fault,” without risking their jobs. So I take that burden upon myself.

Don’t take this personally. It’s not you, it’s… okay, it might be you. Not 100%
of the time… more like 80-90%.

Just remember, it’s not that hard to keep those PCs safe from evening wear and
formalwear… got you again! Come on, end users… keep up with me.

You can do this. I have faith in you. Just in case, repeat to yourself, “When in
doubt, don’t do it.”


CYBERSECURITY INSIDER NEWSLETTER

Strengthen your organization's IT security defenses by keeping abreast of the
latest cybersecurity news, solutions, and best practices.

Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays
Sign up today
Jack Wallen
Published:  October 1, 2020, 2:16 PM PDT Modified:  January 19, 2021, 10:38 AM
PST See more Security


ALSO SEE

 * Quick glossary: Cybersecurity attacks (TechRepublic Premium)
 * Quick glossary: Cybersecurity attack response and mitigation (TechRepublic
   Premium)
 * Phishing and spearphishing: A cheat sheet for business professionals
   (TechRepublic)
 * Botnets: A cheat sheet for business users and security admins (free PDF)
   (TechRepublic)
 * Online security 101: Tips for protecting your privacy from hackers and spies
   (ZDNet)
 * All the VPN terms you need to know (CNET)
 * Cybersecurity and cyberwar: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on
   Flipboard)

WHITE PAPERS, WEBCASTS, AND DOWNLOADS

INTEL® EDGE AI CERTIFICATION

Training from Intel
Register Now

IVACY VPN: LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTION

Downloads from TechRepublic Academy
Learn More

RASPBERRY PI & ARDUINO DEVELOPER BUNDLE

Training from TechRepublic Academy
Read More

PDF CONVERTER PRO: LIFETIME LICENSE

Tools & Templates from TechRepublic Academy
Give It A Try!

HIRING KIT: COMPUTER RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Tools & Templates from TechRepublic Premium
View This Now



 * 
 * 
 * 


 * ACCOUNT INFORMATION
   
   TechRepublic close modal
   
   
   SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS
   
   Cybersecurity best practices: An open letter to end users
   
   Check out this article I found on TechRepublic.
   
   Your email has been sent

Share: Cybersecurity best practices: An open letter to end users
By Jack Wallen
Jack Wallen is an award-winning writer for TechRepublic, The New Stack, and
Linux New Media. He's covered a variety of topics for over twenty years and is
an avid promoter of open source. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his
website jackwallen.com.


 * ACCOUNT INFORMATION
   
   TechRepublic close modal
   
   
   CONTACT JACK WALLEN
   
   Your message has been sent

 * |
 * See all of Jack's content


 * Security


EDITOR'S PICKS

 * Image: Rawpixel/Adobe Stock
   TechRepublic Premium
   
   
   TECHREPUBLIC PREMIUM EDITORIAL CALENDAR: IT POLICIES, CHECKLISTS, TOOLKITS,
   AND RESEARCH FOR DOWNLOAD
   
   TechRepublic Premium content helps you solve your toughest IT issues and
   jump-start your career or next project.
   
   TechRepublic Staff
   Published:  May 20, 2022, 5:30 AM PDT Modified:  May 21, 2022, 3:52 AM PDT
   Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
 * Image: Andy Wolber
   Software
   
   
   BEST CLOUD BACKUP SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS 2022
   
   These 11 cloud-to-cloud solutions back up your organization’s data so you’ll
   be covered in the event of deletions, malware or outages. Compare the best
   online cloud backup services now.
   
   Andy Wolber
   Published:  April 11, 2022, 4:58 AM PDT Modified:  May 25, 2022, 7:44 AM PDT
   Read More See more Software
 * Image: Microsoft
   Software
   
   
   HOW TO USE THE WALKIE-TALKIE FEATURE IN MICROSOFT TEAMS
   
   You can use a mobile device to speak with another person directly through the
   Teams app. Lance Whitney shows you how to use this handy feature.
   
   Lance Whitney
   Published:  April 8, 2022, 8:17 AM PDT Modified:  April 11, 2022, 6:38 AM PDT
   Read More See more Software
 * Image: metamorworks, Getty Images/iStockphoto
   Security
   
   
   “BROWSER IN THE BROWSER” ATTACKS: A DEVASTATING NEW PHISHING TECHNIQUE ARISES
   
   A phishing technique called Browser in the Browser (BITB) has emerged, and
   it’s already aiming at government entities, including Ukraine. Find out how
   to protect against this new threat.
   
   Cedric Pernet
   Published:  April 1, 2022, 6:34 AM PDT Modified:  April 1, 2022, 6:36 AM PDT
   Read More See more Security
 * Image: iStock/Deagreez
   Software
   
   
   BEST PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE AND TOOLS 2022
   
   With so many project management software options to choose from, it can seem
   daunting to find the right one for your projects or company. We’ve narrowed
   them down to these nine.
   
   Moira Alexander
   Published:  March 11, 2022, 7:10 AM PST Modified:  May 25, 2022, 7:43 AM PDT
   Read More See more Software
 * Image: iStockphoto/a-image
   Innovation
   
   
   QUANTUM COMPUTING ECOSYSTEM EXPANDS IN ALL DIRECTIONS
   
   Start-ups, DARPA and Accenture Ventures announce research partnerships, new
   hardware and strategic investments.
   
   Veronica Combs
   Published:  April 11, 2022, 7:42 AM PDT Modified:  April 11, 2022, 10:51 AM
   PDT Read More See more Innovation




TECHREPUBLIC PREMIUM

 * TechRepublic Premium
   
   
   HOW TO RECRUIT AND HIRE AN OPERATIONS RESEARCH ANALYST
   
   Recruiting an Operations Research Analyst with the right combination of
   technical expertise and experience will require a comprehensive screening
   process. This Hiring Kit provides an adjustable framework your business can
   use to find, recruit and ultimately hire the right person for the job.This
   hiring kit from TechRepublic Premium includes a job description, sample
   interview questions ...
   
   Downloads
   Published:  May 19, 2022, 5:00 PM PDT Modified:  May 21, 2022, 12:00 PM PDT
   Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
 * TechRepublic Premium
   
   
   QUICK GLOSSARY: INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS
   
   The digital transformation required by implementing the industrial Internet
   of Things (IIoT) is a radical change from business as usual. This quick
   glossary of 30 terms and concepts relating to IIoT will help you get a handle
   on what IIoT is and what it can do for your business.. From the glossary’s
   introduction: While the ...
   
   Downloads
   Published:  May 19, 2022, 5:00 PM PDT Modified:  May 21, 2022, 12:00 PM PDT
   Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
 * TechRepublic Premium
   
   
   SOFTWARE PROCUREMENT POLICY
   
   Procuring software packages for an organization is a complicated process that
   involves more than just technological knowledge. There are financial and
   support aspects to consider, proof of concepts to evaluate and vendor
   negotiations to handle. Navigating through the details of an RFP alone can be
   challenging, so use TechRepublic Premium’s Software Procurement Policy to
   establish ...
   
   Published:  April 14, 2022, 5:00 PM PDT Modified:  April 16, 2022, 1:00 PM
   PDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
 * TechRepublic Premium
   
   
   HOW TO RECRUIT AND HIRE A SECURITY ANALYST
   
   Recruiting a Security Analyst with the right combination of technical
   expertise and experience will require a comprehensive screening process. This
   hiring kit from TechRepublic Premium includes a job description, sample
   interview questions and a basic want ad that you can customize for your
   business to find, interview, recruit and hire the best candidates for a ...
   
   Downloads
   Published:  April 14, 2022, 5:00 PM PDT Modified:  April 16, 2022, 2:00 PM
   PDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium


SERVICES

 * About Us
 * Membership
 * Newsletters
 * RSS Feeds
 * Site Map
 * Site Help & Feedback
 * FAQ
 * Advertise
 * Do Not Sell My Information


EXPLORE

 * Downloads
 * TechRepublic Forums
 * Meet the Team
 * TechRepublic Academy
 * TechRepublic Premium
 * Resource Library
 * Photos
 * Videos

 * TechRepublic
 * TechRepublic on Twitter
 * TechRepublic on Facebook
 * TechRepublic on LinkedIn
 * TechRepublic on Flipboard

© 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms of Use
 * Property of TechnologyAdvice