With internet reach expanding to all corners of the world, the economy today is run just as much online as it is through physical business locations. The primary need of the day is to have an arm of your business online that is sure to form a major support in ensuring you regularly achieve your annual top line figures.
However, if you are not very tech-savvy or have not yet been exposed to the wonders of the digital expanse, it might get intimidating enough at the start. Especially with cyber crime and data security highlighting the news, it is understandable to be concerned if your business is indeed safe enough on the digital platform.
Worry not; we have gathered a few basic tips and tricks that can help you protect your business from a breach:
- Generic Passwords
- Questionable Hyperlinks
- Documents Encryption
- Public Wi-Fi Hotspots
- Storage Backup
First and foremost, always ensure to create a complex password that cannot be easily guessed through relevant information about you. It becomes terribly easy for a security hacker to brute force their way through such passwords using data collected from varied sites you might be registered at using the same ID and password.
A lot of times during surfing, we come across bait clicks and suspicious hyperlinks that we click without taking the time to understand what it’s about. These even land up in our mailboxes at times, making it difficult to differentiate the genuine from the bait. Never open a link unless you are sure where it leads to; if a friend has sent it, confirm it with them in a separate mail.
Encryption is known to be troublesome when sending documents through email, but it is also one of the first few barriers in case of a security breach. Potential hackers would rather move on to the next victim on the list than waste time with encrypted files. Keep it simple: encrypt all your important documents, if need be, send them through a flash drive.
With the dramatic spread of internet, the latest thing on the block is free access to Wi-Fi in public areas. It comes as a boon to most; however, it can just as easily be used as a tool for spreading malware and ransomware through open networks. Take care to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when on a public hotspot. You can also try out IP maskers for secured surfing.
Make this a habit: always backup all your important documents on an external drive at fixed time periods. This not only helps in securing the data, but also ensures you don’t lose out on it in case of a system crash. Also, take care the backup drive is well protected and not inserted in any random system without thorough verification.
Data security is a real threat today. With the amount of information easily available online, most cyber crimes are focused toward identity theft and information burglary. Following these simple yet effective tips can go a long way in providing that first layer of security to your business in event of a hack attempt. Build a strong foundation to starting your business online – start with keeping it safe and protected.
