Running a small business requires long days and sleepless nights. You need to make sure it is protected.
Data breaches and cyber attacks are a very real threat to small businesses with an online presence. These include malware, phishing and more. A breach in cyber security could not only affect your business, but your customers as well. Protect your small business, and your loyal customers, with our tips:
1. Invest in Security Software
Investing in a firewall or antivirus security software could be a little expensive, but well worth it. These softwares act as a digital shield, protecting your website from potential threats. Additionally, some scan your website for potential viruses or malware. This real time protection will identify threats, alert you and remove them.
2. Implement Defensive Registration
If you own a domain name for your business website, you might want to consider defensive registration.
Defensive Registration is when you register domain names across many different TLDs, formats and grammar for the purpose of protecting your intellectual property. If you are a startup or small business and have the budget to purchase a domain name plus other TLD’s, it could be a good idea to keep people or other companies from buying similar domain names.
3. Create Strong Passwords
Before launching your site and after, you should always be smart about your passwords. You should be using long, complicated passwords that are changed frequently. Additionally, you should be encouraging your employees to use secure passwords too.
4. Implement Multi Factor Authentication
In addition to having a secure password, you should consider implementing Multi Factor Authentication. Multi Factor Authentication requires users to present two or more identifying factors, like a code, to access a program.
5. Use Secure WiFi
WiFi is not secure when you first buy it. Make sure you change the default WiFi password that comes with it. Furthermore, you could also utilize a virtual private network (VPN) to protect business data.
6. Back Up Data
As a small business owner, you should regularly backup essential business data to a computer. This includes documents, spreadsheets, financial information, databases, employee files, etc. Backups ensure that confidential information is never lost or stolen.