Why are we getting hacked?

I’m Back, and I’m Still Trouble

Hey there, execs! It’s your friendly neighborhood troublemaker, back to stir the pot. Let’s cut through the BS and get real about cybersecurity.

Remember that time I told you why we keep getting hacked? Yeah, that’s still a thing.

It’s like we’re playing a game of “Spot the Security Hole,” and we’re making it way too easy for the bad guys. It’s not about fancy hacking tricks or super-secret vulnerabilities. It’s about the same old, same old mistakes we keep making.

So, what are we doing wrong? Let’s break it down:

• We’re assuming security is someone else’s problem. Think of it like expecting your accountant to also fix your leaky roof. It ain’t gonna happen.
• We’re skipping the basics. It’s like trying to build a house without a foundation. You need a solid security plan in place, and you need to follow it.
• We’re still using passwords from the Dark Ages. Remember “password123”? Yeah, that’s not gonna cut it anymore.
• We’re letting users install whatever they want. It’s like giving a toddler a loaded gun. Bad things happen.
• We’re giving users more privileges than they need. It’s like giving your teenager the keys to the car and expecting them to drive responsibly.
• We’re allowing weak passwords. It’s like leaving your front door unlocked.
• We’re using the same password for everything. It’s like using the same key for all your locks.
• We’re ignoring physical security. It’s like leaving your valuables in plain sight.
• We’re forgetting about human error. Let’s face it, people make mistakes.

In other words, we’re leaving the door wide open for hackers.

So, what can we do about it? Let’s revisit those immutable laws of information security:

1. If a bad guy can persuade you to run his program on your computer, it’s not your computer anymore. Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments.
2. If a bad guy can alter the operating system on your computer, it’s not your computer anymore. Keep your software up-to-date.
3. If a bad guy has unrestricted physical access to your computer, it’s not your computer anymore. Secure your physical environment.
4. If you allow a bad guy to upload programs to your website, it’s not your website anymore. Validate user input.
5. Weak passwords trump strong security. Use strong, unique passwords for everything.
6. A computer is only as secure as the administrator is trustworthy. Train your employees on security best practices.
7. Encrypted data is only as secure as its decryption key. Protect your encryption keys.
8. An out-of-date antimalware scanner is only marginally better than no scanner at all. Keep your antivirus software up-to-date.
9. Absolute anonymity isn’t practical, in real life or on the Web. Be mindful of what you share online.
10. Technology is not a panacea. Security is a combination of technology, people, and process.

In short, we need to get our act together. We need to implement strong security measures, educate our employees, and continuously monitor and update our security posture. And most importantly, we need to stop making the same old mistakes.

Let’s make it harder for the bad guys.