Since digital marketing deals not only with your business data but also with your customer information, marketers need to be very cautious when implementing campaigns. These are the common areas that need special attention in terms of online security. You need to follow some cyber security marketing tips for better results.
Email marketing may seem old school, but it is still one of the most effective ways to promote a business. It has one of the highest ROIs in digital marketing and can help increase website traffic and conversion rate.
Unfortunately, emails are also known to be the preferred delivery method for malware. More than 90% of attacks come from emails. Hackers often take advantage of emails to find their next target using phishing tactics.
They usually send emails that appear authentic, but actually contain links to fake websites or malicious attachments. Hackers mimic emails from legitimate institutions, such as banks, Paypal, Amazon, Netflix, government agencies, or organizations, all in an attempt to obtain information from you. And the type of attack that follows depends on the information you have provided.
Your digital marketing team is vulnerable to these types of attacks because they are the ones who often interact with customers (or hackers disguised as customers).
To protect your emails, train all team members on how to detect a phishing email. Having a strong password and using your email service provider's spam filter also helps keep these threats at bay.
WordPress
It may seem strange to see WordPress on this list. But if you follow the cybersecurity news, you will understand that WordPress is one of the most targeted CMS platforms. Hackers often target vulnerabilities in the platform to initiate the attack. Other cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in popular plugins used with WordPress.
In addition to outdated software, hackers can also use other gateways to infiltrate or disrupt your site in other ways, including:
- DDoS attack - This attack floods your website with an incredible amount of traffic to break your server and your website.
- Cross-site scripting - This occurs when a hacker inserts malicious code on your website to steal the data that enters your server.
- SQL Attacks - The hacker tries to gain access to your website's database.
Password Attack - Using weak passwords, such as your personal information, recycled passwords, or plain characters, makes it easier for hackers to access your data.
The best way to protect your WordPress account against online threats is to keep it up to date at all times. When you enable automatic updates, you get security patches in time that would address known vulnerabilities. Don't forget to check the plugins and extensions you use if they are still up to date.
Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication if possible. You can also install a web application firewall behind your website to block malicious content and protect your website as well. Encrypt your website with SSL too by purchasing a digital certificate.
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Social networks
Billions of people are on social media right now, making it one of the most effective digital marketing avenues right now. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and WhatsApp are packed with users of all ages. But great opportunities carry great danger.
Hackers love to target social media accounts, not just popular people, but ordinary users as well. Hijacking their accounts allows them to cause more damage. In addition to stealing your personal information, attackers can also steal your login credentials to hijack accounts and post offensive material on your profile. Some will demand a payment to stop the harassment, while others will be paid by competitors for doing the wrongdoing.
The danger increases with marketing teams because, typically, multiple members access the same social media account. To control the spread of your login details, you can use a social media management tool to handle all your social media tasks or use a password manager to protect your authentication credentials.
Also, educate your marketing team on the dangers of unsolicited social media posts, especially those that contain links. Just as hackers use emails to trick you into sharing confidential information, they can also use Facebook and other social media platforms to attack your system.
CRM software
CRM software is an integral part of digital marketing because this is where you normally store the data collected from your customers. In addition to storing data, CRM software is also used to analyze the collected data and use it to write a marketing strategy for your business.
Imagine what would happen if hackers gained access to your CRM software. They will have access to that confidential data and use it for criminal activities. Not only will you lose money for this infringement, but you could also lose your brand reputation.
Protecting your CRM software with a strong password is not enough. It won't be as effective as you might think, so take a different approach. Why? Because most of the infractions come from within.
To protect the data in your CrM software, limit access to only trusted employees. Make sure those with access are trustworthy. Examine your staff before assigning them the responsibility of managing your customer data. It would be ideal if you had a tracking tool that you can use to monitor logins to your account. Lastly, do not allow any bring your own device (BYOD) policy. Employees should only use company-assigned devices.
Summary
The bottom line here is that digital marketers can't ignore cybersecurity just because it's not included in their job descriptions. Everyone has to be responsible for it, from management to staff. A cyber attack not only puts your data at risk, all clients and companies that work with you will also be compromised.
Creating a solid cybersecurity strategy should be included in all marketing strategies. The above areas should receive special attention because those are the gateways that attackers use frequently. By addressing these concerns, you can finally promote your brand without having to worry about your safety online.