Many small business owners think that cybercriminals are only interested in targeting massive corporations. Don’t fall into that line of thinking. A report from the Better Business Bureau shows that small businesses often lose as much as $80,000 on account of cyberattacks.
Modern hackers are skilled, and if you don’t take steps to protect your business, you too will fall victim to them. So what can you do?
Keep reading for a guide that will teach you how to boost online security and keep your business safe.
Pay Attention to Passwords
Take a moment to think about the passwords that your company uses. Are they complex and lengthy, or simple and basic? If the latter, then hackers will have a much easier time cracking into them.
The passwords you use should be strong and difficult to guess. You can also use a password generator to help you in the creation process. For example, Safari can create and store complicated passwords that it will then auto-fill.
You should also remember to change your passwords as often as possible. Set reminders on your calendar so that you remember to switch them up every few months.
Get Virus Protection Software
If your business doesn’t use a reliable antivirus program, you need to get one as soon as possible. From basic trojans to advanced ransomware, the number of threats you or your employees can run into is nearly endless.
A business-grade antivirus program will stop malware in its tracks. As long as you keep it upgraded to the latest version, it’ll work to keep your computers safe.
If your business uses macOS, don’t believe the misconception that your computers are immune to viruses and other threats. Hackers indeed wrote most viruses for Windows in the past, but that has since changed.
Today, the number of threats that face Mac users has surpassed those that face Windows users.
Train Your Employees
You can have the best protection software in the world, but if you have clueless employees managing it, then it will all be for nothing. Make sure that all of your workers are on the same page when it comes to the cybersecurity of your business.
Teach them about some of the different online threats they can run into, as well as what to do when they see them. They should also know which information they can and can’t share with others to prevent them from spilling trade secrets.
Adhering to the internet security policies of your company is an around the clock job. They don’t get to be blasé about it when they’re off work.
Back Everything up
If something does happen and hackers do get into your system, you want to make sure that the damage they do is minimal. By saving your data and backing everything up, you’ll protect yourself in the event of a cyber attack or server destruction.
Most businesses have a challenging time recovering from cyberattacks. The more severe the attack, the less likely they are to bounce back. By storing data in a cloud or an offsite location, you give yourself a second life.
Digital experience optimization is one way that can improve the online security of your company, as well as a variety of other areas. Read more about it here.
Control Who Uses Wifi
Oftentimes when you visit a business, you’ll notice that there are two (or sometimes more) wifi options: one for employees and one for guests. This is a good model for your own business to emulate.
Controlling the number of users that can use your wifi helps to keep the information and accounts safe. You won’t have to worry about hackers logging in and stealing your data since they won’t be able to join the network without a complex password.
At the same time, it still gives friends, customers, and any other type of visitor a network to use.
Update Your Computers
When’s the last time you’ve gotten around to updating the software of your company’s computers? If you can’t remember when it was, it’s time to get around to doing it.
Regardless of the operating system that your computers use, developers provide several improvements with each update. Aside from performance enhancements and new features, they also tighten security.
By updating your system, you ensure that your computers have the best chance possible of fighting off and resisting different cyber threats.
Filter Out Spam
Spam might look annoyingly obvious, but the truth is that many people fall for it every year. In some instances, all it takes is a single wrong click for hackers to have access to your system or information.
By getting a spam filter, you prevent you or your employees from having to worry about it. As many spam filters can eliminate 99% of phishing and spam emails, they’re one of the best ways to keep accidents from happening in the first place.
Not having to worry about spam allows your employees to manage emails better, helping everyone be happier.
Boost Online Security With These Tips
As the number of cyber threats and malicious programs continues to grow each year, it’s important to invest time and resources in cybersecurity. By following the points mentioned in this guide, you’ll be able to boost online security and protect your company.
Do you now have a better understanding of how to protect your business against some of the common cyber threats that are out there? If you do, make sure to check out our other articles for more tips on how to keep your business safe.
