How Can You Protect Your Small Business Against Cyber Attacks?
Small businesses are common targets for hackers, and often do not have in-house cyber security experts to reduce their risk of data breaches and data loss. However, there are a few steps you can take to protect your small business from cyber attacks and hackers. Here are 5 simple suggestions from West County Computers.
- Invest In Employee Training
The best investment you can make to protect your small business against cyber attacks is to train your employees on how to recognize common attack vectors, and on cyber security best practices.For example, training your employees on how to recognize phishing emails will dramatically reduce your risk of a data breach, since 94% of malware is delivered via email.
- Require Strong Passwords
You need to require your employees to use strong passwords. A good “rule of thumb” is to require passwords to be at least 12 digits long, and include both uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as numbers, special characters (such as !, @, #, $,). These passwords should also be changed every 60-90 days.
- Keep All Software And Operating Systems Updated
Outdated software is a prime target for hackers. If you don’t regularly patch and update your software and computer systems, this could result in vulnerabilities that can be exploited by a cyber attack.Most of the time, updates for software and operating systems like Windows happen in the background, but it’s still a good practice to regularly check for updates and make sure your software is “patched” to remove vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.
- Install Antivirus Software On Your Computers
Antivirus software is very useful for small businesses. Antivirus software can often isolate and destroy viruses and malware before they infect your computer or your network – and alert you and your team to the presence of a potentially harmful virus. This allows you to respond to a potential threat more quickly, and ensures your business is protected against cyber attacks.
- Consider Hiring An MSP To Secure Your Network
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) such as West County Computers can take steps to lock down your business network, such as encrypting your WiFi network, checking for flaws in your network security, adding a firewall to your business network, and more.With the help of West County Computers, you can reduce your risk of a cyber attack, and make sure that you and your employees are able to protect your valuable data.
Protect Your Business From Cyber Attacks – Contact West County Computers Today!
If you want to protect your small business from cyber attacks, West County Computers is here to help. If you’re ready to get started, just schedule a free IT risk assessment by clicking here. Got questions or need more information? Contact us online or give us a call at 707-360-8652.
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