What is a Human Firewall and 50 Easy Ways to Prevent Leakage

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a human firewall? What kind of training does one need, and how can someone become an effective human firewall? In this article, we will cover all the details about being a human firewall. If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming a human firewall, we will answer your questions and provide 50 ways you can prevent your data from being leaked. We’ll also talk about some of the pitfalls of being a human firewall and how you can avoid them with proper security practices, and we’ll do it in a way that is easily understood!

 

Human Firewall Meaning

The term human firewall is used to describe people who block threats like DDoS, malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. The idea behind this strategy is that many attacks rely on social engineering techniques to obtain information from people, your business’ weakest link, before attacking their networks. By having humans in between an attack and its target, there are fewer opportunities for the attack to be successful.

 

A human firewall blocks cyberattacks by obstructing an attacker’s use of social engineering, like phishing attacks, on their target. They do this using carefully chosen security tools and ongoing training that boosts network security by keeping bad actors from gaining access to the data of an entire organization.

 

 

 

How to Succeed at Being a Human Firewall

Video by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Several important steps can help make someone an effective human firewall. These include:

• Mindfully analyzing your personal vulnerabilities to attacks and taking action on how you can defend against them.
• Understanding the cyberattack tactics that attackers use to better detect or deflect their attempts at gaining information from you.
• Knowing what type of behavior will help convince an attacker that they cannot access sensitive information by using social engineering techniques.
• Understanding the other potential vulnerabilities in your company’s security that a human firewall cannot protect against.
• Maintaining an attitude of “do not cooperate” and never divulge information, even under pressure or if you think it is unlikely to cause any harm (it can always be used for leverage later).
• Continuing training and education about cybersecurity to be better prepared for any future attacks.

 

Pitfalls That Come with Being a Human Firewall

Several pitfalls come along with being an effective human firewall. We will now discuss some of the major ones:

• You have to withstand a lot of pressure from the threat actor for this strategy to work.
• It would be best if you had self-control and composure, or else you’ll give away information during an attack that could harm your company’s security measures.
• It would help if you also dealt with any anxiety that comes with enforcing these policies on others.
• There is no good way for someone who has been exposed to sensitive information (such as HR data) to leave the company without being viewed as a security risk.

What is an example of a Human Firewall?

We already know that a human firewall is a person whose primary role in protecting data, as an additional security layer, is to detect and prevent attacks before they occur, but let’s dig a little deeper.

 

Human firewalls may have specific training in computer science, cybersecurity, network administration, or other related fields. Human firewalls must understand how computers work and know which cybersecurity threats exist. They must then develop strategies to combat those threats. In addition, human firewalls must possess excellent communication skills because they interact closely with users and IT staff.

 

Scenario A:

Yes, humans are still used to protect networks from cyberattacks. However, there has been a shift toward using artificial intelligence technology to help identify potential threats. AI uses algorithms to analyze large amounts of data and make predictions based on past behavior patterns. These programs can recognize anomalies within traffic flows and alert administrators to possible breaches. For instance, one program was recently developed to scan websites looking for known malware signatures. If any such code is found, the program alerts the administrator so they can take action.

 

Scenario B:

Yes, humans are still needed to perform certain tasks. But with advances in technology, more jobs are becoming automated. Some examples of automation include:

• Automated email filtering – Software scans incoming emails for viruses and other harmful content. It also checks attachments against databases containing known bad links. The software sends out warnings about potentially dangerous messages.

• Automatic spam filters – Email service providers offer this feature free of charge. When enabled, the filter automatically detects and blocks unsolicited commercial emails. Spammers send millions of junk e-mails every day. Most people don’t want to receive them. With spam filters, unwanted mail does not reach inboxes. Instead, it goes into a special folder where recipients can delete it later.

• Self-service customer support – Many companies now provide self-help options via chat rooms, phone lines, websites, etc. Customers who need assistance can ask questions without needing to talk directly to someone at the business. Chatbots answer these inquiries by reading text typed by customers and responding accordingly.

• Customer relationship management tools – CRMs enable businesses to track interactions between employees and clients. This helps managers see what their team members do when interacting with customers. Managers can view reports showing time spent talking to each client, details regarding conversations, notes taken during meetings, etc.

• Online banking services – Banks and credit unions offer online accounts that allow customers to check balances, pay bills, transfer money, deposit cash, withdraw funds, etc., all through secure connections over the Internet.

• Fraud detection systems – Financial institutions rely heavily on fraud prevention systems to keep losses down and mitigate security breaches. They monitor transactions made by account holders and flag suspicious activity. In some cases, banks may even freeze or close accounts after detecting fraudulent activities.

 

There are Many Ways Information Could be Leaked

Information leaks happen in different forms: from accidental disclosure by weak link co-workers to unauthorized access by threat actors to malicious hacking attempts. Regardless of which form it takes, leaking sensitive data has serious repercussions. Even worse, it puts your entire organization at risk since hackers now have enough information to launch successful ransomware attacks against your company.

To prevent data leakage, you’ll first need to identify potential sources of vulnerability. Here are some examples:

1. Your email address is publicly available due to its inclusion in your resume. This makes it easy for spammers to send unsolicited emails containing malicious links. You also run the risk of receiving a phishing email or other cybersecurity attacks.
2. Social media accounts often contain personally identifiable information. Hackers can easily obtain PII via public profiles and posts. They can even steal passwords using automated tools.
3. Employees share work documents and other files over unsecured networks. These include things such as spreadsheets, presentations, images, videos, etc. Anyone with physical access to those devices can view and copy them.
4. Some websites allow users to upload content anonymously. However, when uploading large amounts of data, sites may store user IDs and IP addresses along with the uploaded material. The same goes for cloud storage services.

In addition to identifying vulnerabilities, you must also develop strategies to mitigate cybersecurity risks. Some ways to do so include:

1. Use a VPN service to encrypt traffic and add an extra layer of security between computers. It prevents anyone else from accessing your network activity.
2. Set up two-factor authentication whenever possible. Two-step verification adds another layer of protection by requiring both username/password combinations and one-time codes sent via text message or phone call before granting access.
3. Install anti-virus software on every device connected to your internal network. Regular updates ensure that viruses don’t slip past detection.
4. Keep all important files encrypted. Encryption scrambles data into unintelligible gibberish, making it impossible for anyone besides authorized personnel to read.
5. Don’t give out any personal details about yourself unless necessary. If you’re asked for your full name, birth date, home address, etc., ask questions to verify your identity. Don’t just hand over the requested info because they might get more through less direct means.
6. If someone asks for confidential information, politely decline their request. Explain why you cannot provide what was requested. Be firm without coming across rudely.
7. Be aware of how much information you disclose online. For example, posting pictures of yourself could make you vulnerable to people who want to take advantage of your trustworthiness.
8. It would be best if you always assumed that everything you post online is accessible to others. Never put anything down there that you wouldn’t want everyone to see.
9. Never click on suspicious-looking URLs. Even if you think you know where the link leads, never follow it. Malware lurks behind these types of links.
10. Do not download programs off untrusted web pages. Always scan downloaded files first. Look for signs of tampering and delete questionable files immediately.
11. Avoid clicking on popups asking permission to install applications. Many times this type of popup contains malicious code designed to infect your computer.
12. Always keep antivirus software updated. This way, the malware won’t have a chance to sneak in undetected.
13. When using public Wi-Fi hotspots on a personal device, avoid downloading apps from unknown sources. Hackers often hide malicious code inside app stores.
14. Consider installing ad-blocking software on your browser. Ads contain tracking scripts that collect sensitive information about your browsing habits.
15. It’s best to disable cookies entirely. Cookies are small pieces of data stored locally on your hard drive. They allow websites to recognize you when you return to revisit them. However, some sites may still require cookies to function properly. Disabling them altogether ensures no site has access to your private information.
16. Make sure you only accept incoming connections from known IP addresses. An attacker could disguise his true location by spoofing an IP address belonging to a trusted server.
17. Only connect to well-known servers. Avoid connecting to random ones found via search engines or other unsolicited methods. These usually lead to phishing scams.
18. Use caution when visiting unfamiliar websites. Some hackers create fake versions of popular sites so they can steal login credentials. Others set up rogue wireless networks to capture passwords and credit card numbers.
19. Watch out for hidden text boxes. Sometimes legitimate sites place invisible fields within forms that store user names and passwords. If you’re unsure whether something looks fishy, don’t enter any personal details into it.
20. Don’t give away too much information. You shouldn’t share all kinds of personal information such as phone number, email address, etc., even though most companies ask for it. The reason? It makes it easier for scammers to contact you directly. Instead, try giving vague answers like “I’m at work” or “No comment.”
21. Keep your operating system patched to keep security threats out.
22. Most viruses target outdated systems because they lack certain patches protecting against attacks. Make sure you update regularly.
23. Be careful what you say over instant messaging services. Scams sometimes lure victims through chat rooms. Don’t be fooled by offers to help fix computers or provide free goods.
24. If someone asks for your password, politely refuse. A scammer might pretend he needs your account info to complete a transaction. In reality, he’ll sell your username and password to others who want to break into accounts.
25. One of the worst mistakes employees can make when they click random links and attachments. Never click links sent to you without first verifying their source. Malicious emails often look legit, especially those claiming to offer important news stories or financial opportunities.
26. If you receive suspicious messages, report them immediately to your IT provider and law enforcement agency.
27. Never send money to anyone requesting payment online unless you know exactly where the funds came from. Fraudsters commonly pose as bank employees demanding cash payments.
28. Avoid clicking on pop-up ads. Many of these solicitations appear after you’ve visited a website. Clicking on one opens another window containing more malicious software.
29. When shopping online, always check the URL before entering sensitive information. This extra step protects you from man-in-the-middle attacks that trick users into revealing confidential data.
30. Always log off once you finish using a computer. Hackers may have planted malware on your machine while you were logged in. They then wait until you leave the room before stealing your identity.
31. Install anti-virus programs. Antiviruses scan files looking for signs of infection. When this happens, antivirus programs alert you to potential threats.
32. Update your browser frequently. Newer browsers contain better defenses against common hacking techniques. Use different usernames and passwords for every site. Hackers steal login credentials when people reuse the same ones across multiple websites.
33. Change your passwords periodically. Hackers also crack old passwords, so make sure yours isn’t among the list of compromised accounts.
34. Consider installing privacy-protection tools. These apps block trackers and other unwanted elements from invading your web surfing experience. Some also encrypt private communications between devices.
35. Never open attachments received via e-mail. Even legitimate documents could contain hidden code designed to infect your PC.
36. Use caution when visiting unfamiliar sites. If something looks fishy, don’t enter any personal information.
37. Don’t respond to spam e-mails asking for personal details such as credit card numbers. Spam filters automatically delete unsolicited messages.
38. Never give out your Social Security number or banking information to strangers. You should never share your SSN, even if asked during a job interview. You will only need to provide this information if you’re applying for employment at a new place of business.
39. Be careful about what you post on Facebook. Hackers routinely monitor popular pages searching for weak points they can exploit. Don’t reveal too much personal information, including phone numbers, addresses, birthdays, etc.

Be wary of text message scams. Scammers sometimes impersonate friends or family members trying to get access to your cell phone bill. To avoid falling victim to these schemes:

1. Always verify who sent you a text message by calling the sender first.
2. Please do not reply to suspicious texts without checking their validity first.
3. Report all scam texts immediately to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357.
4. If someone claims to be affiliated with your financial institution, contact your local branch directly. Banks do not initiate unauthorized transactions over the telephone. Keep your software up to date. Malware writers constantly update their malicious codes to evade detection. Downloading updates regularly helps keep your system safe.
5. Keep your operating systems updated. This ensures that hackers cannot gain control of your device through outdated software.
6. Last but not least, back up important files often.

 

Wrapping Up

 

The first step towards building a more secure network is understanding how hackers think. They’re constantly looking for ways around current security methods, and they’ll find those weaknesses quickly if you don’t keep up with emerging trends. As long as you stay ahead of the curve and practice proper security management practices, you should be able to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime. For more information about how you can keep hackers at bay, please send us an email or call 480-493-5999.