Hackers are constantly on the lookout to steal valuable data. They search for and often sell personal information, financial records, or intellectual property. President of Evansville-based On-Site Computer Solutions John LaFief gives a few helpful tips for protecting your business against digital thieves.
1. Password complexity is the top tip for protecting a business. “A secure password should involve numbers and capital letters, or phrases,” LaFief says. One of the most common and easiest hacker-friendly passwords used by businesses is simply the word “password.” It is also a good rule to change passwords every 90 days.
2. LaFief prefers using a business router when operating a company rather than one designated for consumer use. Business routers provide heightened security for your network and improve performance.
3. A firewall is essential to ensure a protected network. Firewalls safeguard by controlling Internet traffic coming into and flowing out of your business.
4. LaFief strongly recommends antivirus software. These programs are the last line of defense against a network attack. They are designed to scan the computer for malicious activity and then attempt to remove any threats.
5. Portable devices should be encrypted. Laptops and smartphones are at a higher risk of being lost or stolen. Encryption software alters the way information is expressed on the hard drive so that it can’t be read without the correct password.
6. Keeping up with program updates is necessary for full protection. Frequently updating your device allows you to be aware of any recent “bugs” or holes that programmers have repaired.
7. Scheduling regular backups is an easy way to ensure that all your data is stored safely. LaFief encourages the use of the cloud, which stores data online on a network. It is important to note that servers should have a complete backup weekly.
8. Monitoring business intelligence is a beneficial tip to actively prevent compromised data. Using data-leakage prevention software monitors commerce and inspects specific information coming from internal networks. The software can be configured to monitor credit card numbers, pieces of code, or any bits of information relevant to your business that would indicate a breach.
9. Links are a huge risk for launching malware that infects computers. Never click on a link that is unexpected or has an undisclosed origin in an email. LaFief is seeing an increase in pop-up viruses that act as removal services. The pop-up asks the user to pay to “remove” the virus off of the system, allowing easy access for digital thieves to hack financial information.
10. Teaching your employees about safe online habits and proactive defense is crucial. Make sure your employees understand how important your company’s data is and all the measures they can take to protect it.
On-Site Computer Solutions is located at 600 N. Weinbach Ave., Suite 940, in Evansville. It can be reached at 812-424-4357 or via www.424help.com.
