One of the biggest risks for business owners is cyber crime and it is essential that you take measures to protect yourself from this threat. The first step you should take is to carry out a risk assessment. Ask yourself the following: Does your business have any adversaries? Is it possible for information to be accessed? How? Have you done everything you can to protect against a cyber threat?
Many small businesses are attacked by hackers simply because they operate off old unpatched servers and operating systems and they use old, unsecure coding, whilst others have no protection at all. As a minimum, you should have in place firewalls and antivirus and antispam software, as well as good quality business insurance to minimise the financial impact of an attack.
Common threats Viruses Typically administered in a link in an email, the virus is seen as the most common threat to computers. Unbeknownst to the user, the link will actually release a virus into the computer network and has the potential to cause extensive damage. Whilst you can safeguard your system against a broad range of viruses with firewalls and protective software, it is possible to spread viruses using USB's and mobile devices. To prevent this threat, always ensure external devices are safe for use.
It is worth remembering that antivirus software provides good protection but is worthless if it isn't updated. These updates are important to make sure your computer is protected against any new threats.
Spyware/Malware Spyware and Malware is often installed without you knowing as it typically piggybacks onto other software. It doesn't spread to other computers, but remains in the background of your computer gathering personal information and monitoring your browsing habits. This is perhaps most risky for users of internet banking as it can collect access codes and passwords.
One of the best ways to safeguard against spyware is to ensure your protective software is up to date. It may also be a good idea to disable the download function on staff computers to minimise the risk of them downloading spyware onto the system without realising it.
Many small businesses are attacked by hackers simply because they operate off old unpatched servers and operating systems and they use old, unsecure coding, whilst others have no protection at all. As a minimum, you should have in place firewalls and antivirus and antispam software, as well as good quality business insurance to minimise the financial impact of an attack.
Common threats Viruses Typically administered in a link in an email, the virus is seen as the most common threat to computers. Unbeknownst to the user, the link will actually release a virus into the computer network and has the potential to cause extensive damage. Whilst you can safeguard your system against a broad range of viruses with firewalls and protective software, it is possible to spread viruses using USB's and mobile devices. To prevent this threat, always ensure external devices are safe for use.
It is worth remembering that antivirus software provides good protection but is worthless if it isn't updated. These updates are important to make sure your computer is protected against any new threats.
Spyware/Malware Spyware and Malware is often installed without you knowing as it typically piggybacks onto other software. It doesn't spread to other computers, but remains in the background of your computer gathering personal information and monitoring your browsing habits. This is perhaps most risky for users of internet banking as it can collect access codes and passwords.
One of the best ways to safeguard against spyware is to ensure your protective software is up to date. It may also be a good idea to disable the download function on staff computers to minimise the risk of them downloading spyware onto the system without realising it.
About the Author:
Betty Friggott writes around a range of business and finance topics, inclusing business insurance.