The internet has created a wealth of opportunities for small businesses with big ideas; spawning an ever growing number of business models. Even if your business is not technology orientated, in all likelihood you will have a website, use cloud based software in your business, store data online and use the internet to research business ideas, customers and competitors. No business today can remain ‘un-connected’.
Our growing reliance on the internet brings with it a vulnerability to online fraud. So, what can you do to make sure your business is safe from cyber-attacks?
Cyber-crime come in many forms. Ransomware, for example, is a method of hacking your data and holding it hostage until you pay to get it back. There have been a number of high profile attacks, so systematically backing up your files in multiple places can help ensure you’re not left at the mercy of cyber attackers.
Phishing is another common method of cyber fraud. This involves the sending of fake emails, that appear to come from a reliable source, in order to trick you or your employees into handing out valuable information such as banking details. Almost half of all attacks hitting small businesses are phishing scams. Train your staff to spot and report suspicious emails and you can immediately reduce the threat your business faces.
Take extra steps, today, to secure your online privacy and you stand a good chance of warding off any potential attack. And the good news, is that it’s simpler than you may think.
- Make sure every employee is using a strong password. You can use password apps such as 1Password to securely store and generate random passwords across devices. You can also deploy two-factor authentication and force regular password changes.
- Make sure important documents are backed up and that you use antivirus and malware software.
To learn more about protecting your company check out Headway Capital’s useful infographic below (click to read more).
