What steps have you taken in 2017 to prevent your company from getting hacked? Do you feel good about the strategy you have in place, or do you feel that you could make some changes for the better? Are you interested in adjusting your approach in 2018?
Now that 2017 is winding down, it’s time to turn your attention to the new year. Soon enough, the calendar will turn and you’ll find yourself faced with a variety of new challenges.
As a small business owner, there are many things you can do from a security perspective to prevent trouble.
Note: Now’s the time to learn more about the top cyber security threats facing small business in 2018.
It’s easy to believe that your company will never get hacked, but it only takes one mistake in order for this to happen.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent trouble, there are steps you can take to give yourself peace of mind. Here are just a few of the many things you need to do today, as you prepare for 2018:
Only Use a Secure Messaging App
As you know, there are many applications for sending messages to coworkers, clients, friends, and family.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that all of these applications are secure, but nothing could be further from the truth.
A secure messaging app makes it easy to confidently send and receive messages and files. Conversely, if you’re unsure of what an app has to offer in regards to security, you’ll never know if something bad is about to happen.
Change Your Passwords Often
This is something you need to get into the habit of doing. It’s also something you should discuss with your employees.
Believe it or not, some people never change their email password. They assume that it’s good enough to keep the same because they haven’t been the victim of an attack in the past.
You don’t want to fall into this trap. There are many ways to choose a hack proof email password. Making a change every now and again is one of the best things you can do.
Know Who Has Access to Your Accounts
For example, you may have given a former employee access to your email and social media accounts. While this was okay when the person worked for you, it’s something you need to think about now that they are gone.
From a security perspective, it’s essential that you only share account access with people you trust. If you find that an unauthorized person has accessed your account, don’t to change your password.
Only Use Trusted Devices
An example of this would be someone who makes it a habit of logging into private accounts from a public computer. This may not seem like a big deal, but it increases the odds of being hacked.
You should only access private accounts from trusted devices, such as your work phone and computer.
Install Antivirus Software
When was the last time you checked your computer’s antivirus software? If you don’t know the answer to this question, it’s time to take this step today.
Without antivirus software, you’re taking a big risk. In addition to your computer, check any others that are on your network.
It may cost some money to install antivirus software on all your computers, but it’s well worth it. You don’t want to make the mistake of thinking you don’t need this.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many steps you can take to prevent your company from getting hacked in 2018.
It’s important that you have a plan in place, as any mistake could lead to serious trouble that costs you a lot of time and money.
Even though you may have avoided hackers in the past, you could be a target in 2018. It’s time to take preventative measures!
What steps has your company taken to prevent hackers from causing trouble? Are you going to adjust your approach now or in the new year? Share your personal thoughts and experiences with online security in the comment section below.
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