The Internet has so many upsides to it, but when you hit one of the downsides, it can be devastating. The last thing that you want is to have your business get hacked online or be hit with a virus that could destroy everything.
But, there are some things that you can do to try to fight off any possible threats that could be coming your way.
Step 1: Avoid Malware
Why do you lock your cars and house at night? You don’t want anyone to break into them, right? The same can be said for your computers. In particular, you need to avoid malware and ransomware. These software thieves want to get into your computer and take all your precious data away.
Your first line of defense should be to apply a firewall. This will allow you to block many of the troublemakers that are lurking around your computer, but not all of them. Malware is becoming more and more complex each day that they are finding ways around the firewall. You should also read up on how to prevent a ransomware infection from crippling your business. These six additional tips can be just another step of security that you can take.
Step 2: Spend the Money on Protection
There are many programs out there that offer “free” protection. Avoid those. Purchase the best security software that your company can afford. This protection should be used to stop identity thief, attacks from hackers, and any websites that could cause damage. Check out best computer protection software of 2019 as a starting point for programs you could look into.
Step 3: Educate Your Employees on Security Measures
Be sure, no matter the size of your company, that you educate all your employees on your security expectations regarding data. They should be aware of what programs can and cannot be loaded onto the system, discuss the types of emails that should be sent, the importance of strong passwords (set passwords to change frequently), and be stern with your consequences for breaking any security measures. They should be turning off the computer every night before leaving work.
Explain your social media expectations regarding the company. Assign only certain people to be in charge of your social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts. Discuss the consequences for discussing anything about the company on social media to make sure that no information is disseminated that shouldn’t be.
Finally, make sure that employees are only using productive websites during work hours. Be up front and transparent with your employees about your security expectations and what websites should be frequented at work. Create and stick to an acceptable use policy (check out 7 things to consider when creating an acceptable use policy) that all of the employees can understand.
Step 4: Stay Up to Date
Lastly, keep up to date with the latest trends on intelligence threats. Continue to allow your computers to update themselves and make sure that the antivirus program is up to date. This is a good chance to find a security vendor to keep an eye on your company. They would be able to work with you and keep you current on what is happening with software.
You don’t want one little slip up to cost your company everything you have worked so hard to achieve. Be willing to try new things, be transparent with your staff, and enforce the rules that you set forth to protect your company forever.
