Get Security from Hacking: 5 Things to Do Now

As a small or midsized business (SMB) owner, you’re busy. To-do lists only seem to grow. Adding extra layers of cyber security may not even be on your radar, but nothing can bring your business to a grinding halt like a cyberattack. Attacks are expensive and time-consuming, not to mention harmful to the business’s reputation. Many SMB owners and managers don’t focus on the right level of protection until they’re hit with a data breach, and the business is threatened. By then, it’s too late, and they would do anything to go back and figure out how to prevent a cyber attack.

Hackers will always try to get into your network. Over time, they’ve managed to breach government data and that of thousands of companies. You have no control over what cybercriminals will target next or the weaknesses in the software we use. However, you can take steps to protect your data and network.

Q: What are the most common types of cyberattacks on small businesses?

A: Phishing emails, ransomware and malware are among the most common cyber threats faced by small businesses. Phishing involves tricking employees into clicking on malicious links or providing sensitive information, while ransomware locks systems or data until a payment is made. Malware, including viruses and spyware, can infiltrate systems and compromise data without the user’s knowledge.

5 Steps to Improve Security from Hacking

• Hold Your Clicks – Resist the impulse to automatically click on anything attached to an email or text. The links can be tempting. The email addresses and graphics may look official, but in reality, they may be the clever façades of a spoofing and phishing scam. These scams are some of the most commonly used by hackers to breach your personal and business data. Take your time. Hover over the link and review the actual email address before clicking. There is no sure-fire way to avoid phishing, but it is worth your while to be extra cautious. When in doubt, don’t open it
• Password Management – Using strong and unique passwords is a crucial first step in how to prevent a cyber attack. You cannot get by anymore using your birthday, your pet’s name or just “password.” Enhance security by generating unique and complicated multi-character passwords. However, remembering a wide variety of passwords is a daunting task, which is why a password manager is an essential tool. Password managers are simple programs that generate, save and retrieve passwords. Password management is part of the first line of defense against hackers, and using a password manager streamlines this process
• Multifactor Authentication – Think of a password as your second line of defense in how to prevent a data breach. Multifactor authentication works with your password as a powerful tool in your anti-hacking arsenal. It is another way of proving that you are who you purport to be when logging in to an online account by asking for one or more additional credentials. The request for multifactor authentication is generated within an app or sent separately via text message. The extra few seconds it takes to validate your identity are worthwhile, further protecting your online activities
• Keep All Your Software Up to Date – All of your technology needs to be continuously updated: your cell phones, computers, smart devices and anything else that connects to your network. Software developers spend a lot of time on security fixes long after they’ve launched a new program. Security glitches come to light as more and more people use a program. Updating the software for all your devices will help you minimize those security glitches. If you really want to know how to prevent a data breach, setting your devices to auto-update will help keep your security in step with the developer’s updates
• Clean Up After Yourself – Our internet search history records where we’ve been and what we’ve been doing online. It is essential to delete your search history. Whether you use Google or another search engine, clearing your browser’s history should be part of your cyber routine. For more robust and comprehensive security, a remote-access VPN will help you control your online visibility

Q: How can small businesses protect their systems from hacking?

A: Small businesses can protect themselves by implementing strong security measures such as firewalls, antivirus software and regular software updates. Using complex, unique passwords for all systems and accounts and enabling multifactor authentication further reduces the risk. Also, consider regular data backups so information won’t be lost if an incident occurs.

A 6th Step: Can Old Abandoned Accounts Create Cyber Risks?

In addition to clearing recent history, it is equally important to delete old accounts. Maybe you have an AOL email account from the late 1980s. Or you still have an old MySpace account lost in cyberspace. Your online dating profile might still be out there. Hackers can manipulate these abandoned accounts, and the personal information and photos they contain, and use them against you. They may contain data that links to something you still do today, so deleting them is one answer to how to prevent a data breach. Old online emails and social media accounts are NOT mementos. They are unattended security risks.

Q: What should a small business do if it becomes a victim of a cyberattack?

A: Cyberattack victims should quickly disconnect affected systems from the network and contact a cybersecurity expert or IT professional to assess and contain the breach. Report the incident to the relevant authorities and affected clients. After addressing the immediate threat, have the professionals review security protocols.

What’s the Best Way to Prevent a Cyberattack on Your SMB?

You may already use some of these protective measures to get cyber security from hacking, but as your business grows and you add more devices such as smart controls, wireless access and remote access, your network’s surface attack area becomes even larger. A cyber security firm that works with small and midsize businesses can show you how to prevent a cyber attack and help ensure that confidential data has the best protection possible.

Many companies, such as law firms, medical practices and financial services, are bound by strict compliance and privacy laws, and cyberattacks can have devastating consequences. Thos handling payment information or storing employee data on their network also face increased data protection regulations. Call your local IT security provider and ask them to assess your cyber risks and work with you to ensure you have the best protection solution for your business. Basic upfront cyber security efforts help ensure your data is protected and are far less costly than recovering from a single cyber attack.