Top 5 ways business executives can stay safe online

There has never been a better time for business leaders to take control of their online security. To keep companies safe, senior executives must also protect themselves. Beyond personal information being at risk, company information is often just one step away from compromised accounts. Here are the top five ways that senior executives can protect themselves online.

Understanding online risks is crucial for protecting yourself from online threats. Online scams, phishing attacks, and identity theft are just a few of the many risks. To avoid scams, it’s essential to be cautious when clicking suspicious links, downloading attachments, or providing personal information.

Using a password manager can help you generate and store unique, strong passwords for each of your online accounts on different websites, significantly reducing the risk of identity theft. Additionally, being aware of fake websites and learning to spot them can help you avoid falling victim to online fraud. Always check the address bar for discrepancies and ensure the website is legitimate before entering personal information.

One of the easiest ways hackers can access your accounts is through weak, easily guessable, or reused passwords. A trusted password manager can generate strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and store them securely. This way, you don’t have to remember dozens of different passwords and can use a unique password for each account, making it much more difficult for hackers to gain access.

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification, such as a fingerprint or a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password. This makes it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your accounts, even if they manage to figure out your password. For the most secure authentication, avoid using SMS text messages for your second factor. SIM attacks, where a hacker steals your mobile phone number, can be used against high-value targets, such as senior business leaders.

Phishing scams continue to proliferate, enabling hackers to access people’s accounts. These scams typically involve an email or text message that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a government agency, but is actually from a hacker. The message will usually contain a link that, when clicked, will lead to a fake website that looks like the real one and will ask for personal information such as login credentials. 

Be cautious of any suspicious email or message, and never click on any links in an email or message unless you are certain of their authenticity. A good password manager will not automatically fill in your passwords if it doesn’t recognize the website—offering an early indicator that something is suspicious.

Your computer and mobile devices represent a conduit for hackers to access your information. Keep your operating system and any installed software up to date, as updates often include security patches for known vulnerabilities. Employ any built-in security mechanisms to your devices, such as biometric unlock and extra protection or encryption, where possible.

As a senior executive, you are likely a known figure in some way, and your online presence is visible to malicious actors. Be mindful of what you post online and ensure the information is not sensitive or potentially damaging. Use privacy settings to limit the information available to the public, and be cautious of the social media apps you use. Hackers can use this information to answer security questions (What is your mother’s maiden name?) to get around two-factor authentication or password reset requests.

Staying safe on public networks requires extra caution to protect your online security. Avoid accessing sensitive information such as online banking or personal data when using public Wi-Fi. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your data from being intercepted.

By taking these steps, senior executives can significantly reduce the risk of their accounts being compromised. Systems are only as strong as the people using them, and executives should always be vigilant and aware of any suspicious activity. Regularly review security settings, have an incident response plan in place, and educate your team to be aware of the common scams and phishing attempts.

Keeping your online accounts safe requires a multi-layered approach. By using a password manager, enabling two-factor authentication, being wary of phishing scams, keeping your devices secure, and being mindful of your online presence, you can greatly reduce the risk of your accounts being compromised. Remember, security is always an ongoing process, and it's essential to stay updated and vigilant.

It only takes one email, a 30-second call, or one social media DM for her to hack VIPs and gain access to your money, data, and systems.

Rachel Tobac, hacker and CEO of SocialProof Security, executes social engineering attacks like these for a living and uses her ethical, real-life hacking stories to keep VIPs and business executives up to date on the methods criminals use. In the hacker’s guide to securing your organization ebook, Rachel breaks down how remote work has changed the hacker playbook, recent cyber attacks in the news, and how to defend against the latest executive-based manipulation tactics. Her stories from the field and live hacking demonstrations will keep you and your team "politely paranoid" to catch the next human hacker in the act.

Ready to try out a password manager for business? Register today for a free Bitwarden account, or start a 7-day free trial of our business plans to protect your team and company colleagues online.