Over the years, big tech companies have continued to harvest and collect user data while accessing your devices, including your microphone, camera, etc. CyberGhost’s recent report shows that cybercrime increased by a whopping 600% during Covid-19 and will continue to increase in the coming years. The information these big tech companies collect can be harmless or harmful, depending on their use.
So, if you ever start your own business, there is a considerable possibility your business can face a cyber threat. So, how to protect your business from cybercrime? To help you out, we are discussing a few important steps below that can help you out with the same.
Encrypt Your Data
Data encryption in today’s date has become an essential part of any online business. Encrypted data is basically indiscernible without a key. If a hacker breaks into your system by any chance, they won’t be able to access your data without a key.
Keep Your Software Up To Date
Any software and apps on your devices should be updated regularly to avoid any cyber threats. If and when the updates are released, you should quickly update your software and apply the patches on the same day. Doing so will prevent the hackers from breaching your system easily.
Restrict Software Access
Having a trustworthy is an important aspect of running any online business. Even if you have a reliable IT support team, you should restrict them from installing patches and updates to any software and apps on your personal systems. Limit any third-party personnel access to install any software on your system, and make sure that you maintain a record of all the updates on your system.
Audit Your Network
Just like you keep your personal space neat and clutter-free all the time, you must do the same with your system and devices. Perform regular audits for your system, devices, cloud storage, and everything else that is connected to your network. Regularly monitor your unused apps and remove them periodically to prevent them from becoming a security problem.
Delete Any Irrelevant Software
If there is any software on your network that is no longer working and does not support any patch or update should be deleted from your system. Make regular connections with your team and ask them what software they currently use. If their vendors are supporting them, the software is good to go, and if the vendors no longer support them, delete them and install new software.
Make A Checklist Of Your Network Connections
While running a business requires you to perform many tasks, one that outweighs all is who is connected to your network. As a business owner, it should be your biggest responsibility to keep track of every computer and device connected to your network. Usually, unethical hackers don’t have access to authorized devices, so they will be blocked immediately if they ever try to penetrate your system.
Use An Antivirus
When running a business, you tend to visit hundreds of websites regularly that can install malicious viruses on your system. To prevent that from happening, you can install any leading antivirus and internet security software that can provide extra protection to your system.
Install Strong Firewalls
Even after reliable antivirus software, it is a must for any business owner to protect their network with the help of strong firewalls. Firewalls can detect any viruses and stop them from causing phishing attacks on your system. Always choose a firewall that can easily monitor traffic patterns on your network and send an alert when it detects any suspicious activity.
Back-Up Your Data Periodically
Backing up your data regularly is an important step in protecting your business from cybercrime. However, when you back up your data, make sure you use a backup service that also performs cloud encryption. If your data is backed up, it will be hard for an unethical hacker to breach it.
Dual-Factor Authentication
Dual-factor authentication is a big step that everyone should take when it comes to protecting their online business. If you have 2FA enabled, you will be required to sign in to your Google or any other account using a secondary confirmation code on your registered device. When you enable two-factor authentication, hackers will find it difficult to get past your network and enter your system.
Conclusion
Cybercrime poses a massive threat to small businesses, and breaches in their network can cause devastating outcomes. However, with the abovementioned methods, a small business can easily protect its network and save itself from any major destruction.