As we all know, cybersecurity is a big deal these days. Every business, from small to large, is on the attack and must take the right steps to minimize damage. There are a few easy steps every business owner can take to increase security, this blog has a few of the most basic practices, but it also has useful links to other resources around the web.
Also, a Malicious attacks are a growing concern for businesses around the world. Small businesses are especially vulnerable to cyberattacks as they lack the resources of bigger companies to tackle threats. Here are five important tips every small business owner should follow to protect their business from cyberattacks.
5 Must-Know Cybersecurity Practices for Every Small Business Owner
1. Why cybersecurity matters for your business
Cybersecurity is often one of the biggest fears of business owners, especially in the small business community. Cyber criminals are getting more and more sophisticated every day and most small business owners simply don’t have the time or resources to devote to learning the ins and outs of cybersecurity best practices. And that’s okay.
Also, small business owners have enough to worry about when it comes to running a business. But that doesn’t mean they can ignore cybersecurity practices altogether. Small business owners who ignore cybersecurity are putting themselves in big losses. A single cyber-attack can cause irreparable damage to a small business, both in terms of financial cost and company reputation.
2. Get a good antivirus software to protect yourself from viruses, malware and other potential threats
It’s sad but true that many small businesses are still unaware of the importance of having a good antivirus software to protect their business. This is a sad but true fact. Small businesses should understand that without good antivirus software, they are vulnerable to hackers and cyber criminals who are always on the lookout for their next target.
Protecting your business from cyber-attacks is the responsibility of the business owner. Business owners should understand that there are many types of Firewalls and other security software out there which can protect their business from these attacks.
The business owner should be well versed with the various types of software available and should have an idea which one is the best fit for their business. The business owner should also understand that the antivirus software is just one of the many measures that should be taken to ensure that their business is protected from cyber threats.
3. Subscribe to a reliable and trustworthy email service
The internet is full of new and promising email providers that allow you to send and receive messages for free. Unfortunately, many of these services are less reliable, lack basic security features and are prone to spam attacks. This means that your business could be sharing the same email address with a million other users and it could also be hosting a million different phishing scams.
A good email provider should provide a secure way to create an account and offer top-notch security features. An ideal email provider should employ two-factor authentication, offer a custom domain and provide users with a personalized email address. So this is the owner’s responsibility to subscribe reliable and trustworthy email service.
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4. Install an SSL certificate
Every small business owner should install an SSL certificate on their site. As far as cybersecurity should be implemented on your website, I think it is a very good idea to install an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate encrypts your website’s URL with an HTTPS protocol that prevents anyone from intercepting your website’s traffic.
It’s a protocol that helps keep your data private, especially if you are doing business online. Some business owners are aware of its importance, but others do not. SSL certs are available at discounted prices nowadays that include single domain, wildcard SSL or Cheap Multi Domain SSL Certificates. A small business owner can choose as per site’s requirement.
If you run a website that processes sensitive information, such as credit card or social security numbers, you’re required to install an SSL certificate. You can tell if a site uses an SSL certificate by looking for a URL that begins with “https://” instead of “http://” when you’re doing your browsing. These “https://” sites are encrypted, so any information you submit to these sites cannot be intercepted, which means your personal information is protected. Always make sure you’re using an SSL certificate when your site collects sensitive information.
5. Don’t use public Wi-Fi and always have an antivirus installed
It is not recommended to use public Wi-Fi networks as they may expose your sensitive information to hackers. Even if you are using a network in a coffee shop or on a plane, it is very risky, because these are public places that are often crowded and open to attacks.
So, instead of using public Wi-Fi networks, use your mobile data and connect through a secured VPN connection. Protect your company’s data and devices by installing the antivirus and anti-malware software. A business owner should always make sure that his Wi-Fi network is protected by a firewall and a strong WPA2-PSK encryption.
Conclusion:
Cybersecurity is one of the most pressing issues in the modern age. As technology becomes more advanced, the number of devices that can be hacked, compromised, or taken over is growing exponentially. Every small business owner should be aware of the cybersecurity risks that are mentioned above, as well as know how to protect themselves from them.
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