Every business is at risk of cybersecurity threats. Threats have become common lately since most people work from home due to the pandemic. Though big and small businesses may experience these attacks, small businesses are more at risk, so you need to do everything you can to protect your business. That is because most of them don’t have enough technology defenses, don’t know the dangers, or don’t have enough resources to devote to cybersecurity measures. In that case, they are more likely to be targeted by hackers.
According to a Marshall & Swift/Boeckh report, 75% of businesses in the United States are underinsured by 40% or more. That means you have to ensure you protect your business from these security issues under all means to avoid losing it.
How Do You Protect Your Business and Stay Safe While Working at Home?
Since you have adapted to a lifestyle of working from home, there is no IT team to manage your business’s cybersecurity threats. That means everybody in your business has to stay alert and be able to detect any cybersecurity threats. Below are examples of cybersecurity threats you can avoid and tips to help you and your staff work from home safely.
Protect Your Business From These Security Threats
Phishing
Phishing is where people or businesses pose as genuine dealers to steal your sensitive information. They use email or malicious websites where they send attachments through email. They entice you to click on them, and since they look genuine, you will be tempted to open them. Once you click or open them, the code can run on your computer, thus infecting it with malware.
Viruses
These are the most common. A virus runs through your computer without your awareness. The most probable way to prevent viruses is by using anti-virus software. Also, avoid opening or downloading files or documents from unauthorized sites.
Spyware Threats
These programs monitor all your activities online without your awareness. They do it at a profit and install programs that take your personal information. To prevent this, ensure you always go through terms and conditions to know how they will use your info online.
Install Antivirus and Internet Security Software
According to Varonis’s 2021 Global Data Risk Report, 33% of all files used by an organization are available to the public. Do you believe this isn’t a problem? In other words, 64% of your employees have access to 1,000 or more sensitive files.
If you don’t have antivirus software, you risk being among $1.5 billion of businesses attacked by cybercrimes annually. A strong antivirus cushions your organization by preventing threats such as:
- Viruses, malware
- Phishing
- Preventing day to day attacks
- Trojans
Start Using a VPN to Protect Your Business
The best way to use VPN (Virtual Private Network) successfully is to train and sensitize your staff. Though you can have the strongest VPN in place, they will still be under attack if you don’t teach them when and how to use it. Ensure they update their password regularly to keep them strong. Alternatively, you can use smart cards instead of passwords to protect your business.
Secure Your Wi-Fi Networks
You can achieve this by having strong passwords and changing your SSID. Avoid using passwords that a person can easily guess. Enable your network encryption, and you can do this through the security page. Use different methods like WEP, WPA, and WPA2, and if you can use MAC addresses for more security, the better.
Monitor Your Emails
Most companies communicate through email, making them an easy target by scammers. However, you can protect your business and prevent these by using NCSC recommendations:
- Opening a company’s emails while using VPN.
- Ensuring that staff is using devices that encrypt data. That makes it hard for scammers to retrieve any info if the devices are lost or stolen.
- Understanding why phishing attacks take place and how to prevent them.
Take Precaution During Video Calls
These are known to create WHF security risks. It is easy for hackers to access your business through video and Zoom. But you can prevent these by:
- Having a password for every person who is attending Zoom calls
- Using updated software
- Using video conferencing software that has end to end encryption
Working from home is the new norm, and as a small business leader, you need to take precautions to protect your business from cyberattacks. You can adapt the above tips to make your business safe.