Using online services safely
Page 9 of 10
Use the security features built into the service
Many cloud services have built-in security features that will protect against common cyber attacks. These may be turned on by default, but sometimes you will need to use an administrator account to turn them on. You should check that you’re using these features and that they are enforced for everyone in your organisation.
-
Tip 8: Filter out malicious messages and files
Many cloud services include filters that help protect you from malicious content being delivered to your users. For example, malicious links contained in phishing messages and malware in file attachments. For more information, refer to our guidance on avoiding phishing attacks.
-
Tip 9: Favour an app designed for the cloud service
Cloud services are often accessed via a web browser or via a dedicated mobile or desktop app. We recommend using these options as they often use the latest features and provide richer protections.
You should avoid accessing a cloud service via options that require you to change or weaken its security settings in order to make them work. For example, asking you to create a separate ‘password’ or ‘key’ for the app instead of using your secure account login. It’s a good idea to check that ‘legacy’ or ‘compatibility’ options are turned off (as these often don’t support the latest security technologies).