Cyber Security Tips for Small Businesses

The Internet has become a major part of our lives, and we rely on it every day. But that means there are also risks associated with using the web. This month, we want to focus on cyber security tips for small businesses.

Understand the Risks

There are multiple categories of cyber-attacks and scams: those that steal data or money (such as credit card numbers) and those that damage computers or networks. These attacks come in different forms, such as viruses, worms, phishing scams, and denial of service attacks. The scammers and hackers that perform these attacks and more are constantly discovering new ways to access a company’s private data or exploit employees.

The scammers are getting more sophisticated with their attempts.?In this blog, we have included a video example of a very realistic scam, a Windows Defender Security Center alert. Turn up your sound when you watch the video, it is alarmingly realistic.?This scam alert was populated into an online news article via a Google pop-up advertisement.?The attempt states your device is infected with viruses and you need to purchase a full version of the antivirus system to remove the infections.

Educate Your Employees

One of the biggest cyber security tips is the importance of educating employees about the dos and don’ts of cyber security so they can help prevent scams and attacks. This includes educating them about common cyberattacks and how to avoid falling victim to them. You also need to make sure they understand the importance of protecting company data because at the end of the day, they are your greatest source of vulnerability.

Roughly 94% of all malware is delivered via email. This is from employees opening emails from unknown email addresses and clicking on links. The biggest question is, how do you spot a phishing email? Once you understand what exactly a phishing email is, you can learn how to tell the difference between a real email and a scam. For starters, if the email is requiring you to perform a task like “click here to reset your password”, it’s likely a scam. Pay attention to emails from affiliates that seem odd, and question anything that creates hesitation on the part of the recipient. Educate your employees on the sophistication of scammers and hackers and bring it to the front of their mind while at work.

Multi-Layered Security

The best way to help prevent cyber-attacks is to create multi-layered security for your business. Multi-layered security has numerous components to help shield your company from threats. It also monitors and secures your data from breaches – something that single-layered security lacks. An example of multi-layered security would be as follows:?

• A strategy for protecting against malware.
• Protection from attack via email attachments, files, adware, links, and apps.
• DNS-level security to defend against network-level attacks
• Employee education programs

It was inevitable that hackers would begin to enter small businesses in Pennsylvania. The Famous Smoke Shop has made it public that they are a victim of a ransomware attack, and their website, store and lounge is currently closed. The attack took place when hackers scrambled their company data and offered to unscramble the data for an undisclosed amount.

The company is refusing to pay the ransom as they work to unscramble the data internally. This latest attack highlights the need for?cybersecurity company?expertise in the daily management of your business.

• Do not allow employees to have their passwords written on notes on their computers or visible on their desks.
• When a disgruntled employee is terminated, change all passwords they utilized.
• Change your passwords every 90 days. Use a password management tool, such as?LastPass?to manage the task.
• Educate employees to bring any questionable emails to your attention, even if you appear to be the sender.
• Hackers can send emails that appear to be from upper management.
• Have a dark web scan done for your business to determine if your secure information is being sold on the dark web.
• Keep appraised of methods hackers utilize to gain access via?news?outlets and develop policies and practices to reduce your risk.

Contact us?today for assistance on educating your employees on the ever-changing technology. Follow us on social for more tips:?Facebook,?Instagram,?Twitter, and?LinkedIn.