Small steps the best ones to stem a cyber attack
Hackers aren’t shy about assaulting small businesses. They know that many of these businesses are susceptible to cyber crimes. It’s not exceedingly difficult for smart hackers to break into the credit-card accounts or bank accounts of small businesses. Many have no trouble accessing employee facts such as their Social Security numbers. Fortunately, small business owners do have a tool to use against cyber criminals: common sense. Entrepreneur Magazine recently ran a feature story providing tips for small business owners that want to protect their businesses from hackers. Here are a few suggestions from the story.
Encryption Matters
Entrepreneur recommends that you first encrypt all of your important data, anything from bank routing numbers to credit-card account information to employee Social Security numbers. Hackers want to steal these details. It’s how they eventually drain money from your small business. Entrepreneur’s advice? Turn on the full-disk encryption tools that are included with your computer’s operating systems. On Windows, this tool is labeled BitLocker. On Macintosh computers, it’s called FileVault. The tool, once activated, will encrypt every file and program on the drive.
The Lockdown Approach
Most computers have a Kensington lock port, a small metal loop that users can run a cable through to lock them to their desks. If you’d like to truly protect your business, require that employees take this protection measure. It may sound silly, but the Entrepreneur story said that businesses are often hacked after burglars break in and steal laptops along with other devices. A cable strapping a laptop to a desk won’t stop all thieves. But it might scare away those who want to strike especially quickly.
Wi-Fi Protection
Wi-Fi networks are often at risk from hackers. That’s why Entrepreneur Magazine suggests that businesses depend on wired networks preferably. But if your business clearly needs a Wi-Fi network, make sure you safeguard it using a complex password. Entrepreneur Magazine recommends a password comprised of letters, numbers and symbols. Write down this password and hide it in a safe or other secure spot.
