Keeping up with cybercrime can be difficult.
Cyber criminals have become more advanced and smarter with their attacks. Often, smaller businesses fail to realize that their data is attractive to cyber criminals as well. Large organizations are not the only ones that have to look out for cybercrime. Smaller businesses fall under the radar just as easily. Your business is just as important as any other business, which is why you should do whatever is necessary to make sure it's safe.
What can a small business do to protect themselves?
Awareness
One of the most important things to do when you have a business is to make yourself and your employees aware of cyber threats. Believe it or not, humans are businesses’ biggest vulnerability. If you’re wondering why, it’s because people make huge mistakes by doing the smallest things. For example, if an employee falls victim to a phishing scheme and clicks on a malicious link, your business may be in trouble. Training your employees on the proper ways the avoid cyber criminals is extremely important.
Firewalls
All companies have access to the internet, and where there is internet, there are hackers. Getting a firewall is very important. A firewall filters and monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It prevents anything suspicious from entering a private network and protects against malware, viruses, spam and more.
Security software
This is sort of a no brainer, purchase and install security software. With there being new threats emerging every day, it is important to have the best of the best to keep those threats at bay. Antivirus software is installed on your device with the purpose of detecting and protecting against viruses, malware, spyware, Trojans, spam, and phishing attacks. Without anti-virus software, you’re prone to encounter so many obstacles as you are welcoming all kinds of intruders.
Passwords
Passwords help ensure that only authorized individuals can access a device. Passwords should be secured and changed regularly. If you have the slightest suspicion that your password has been discovered, you should change it immediately. Your password should be strong enough to not be guessed by a person or a computer. Birthdays, addresses, or any other familiar dates should not be used. It’s in your business’s best interest that you push the idea of changing passwords regularly. A good practice would be to require a password change every 30-60 days.
Strong password characteristic:
-8 to 12 characters (the longer the better)
- Upper and lowercase letters
- Letters and numbers
- A special character
Need help in securing your small business better? Contact us and let's see what we can do for you!