According to studies, it is estimated that 50% of web users nowadays are intelligent agents (web bots). Some of these bots are used to automate tasks, while others are used for hacking, spamming, spying, interrupting, and compromising websites of all sizes. You might think that your business is too small to be a target and neglect to take protective measures.
Surprisingly, incidents of small others do it for financial gain or to ruin one’s reputation. You never know when your website might be next! If you are a small business owner and want to learn how to secure small business from cyber-attacks, you have reached the right place.
Threats Faced by Small Businesses
Hackers nowadays have come up with many methods to execute small business cyber-attacks. Here are the most common threats to small businesses.
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Advanced Persistent Threats
As the name suggests, these attacks are carefully and strategically planned over a long period. As a result, you might not know that your site has been infiltrated at first.
The attacks are accomplished in various stages, and hackers might not take any harmful action as they wait for the perfect time to strike. The main purpose of APTs is to steal or spy on an individual or a corporation.
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Distributed Denial of Service
These attacks aim to send numerous requests to a website so that they are overloaded. The flood of requests and information lead to system failure, and eventually, they are forced to shut down.
Hackers take advantage of the site at its most vulnerable and seal vital information or funds.
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Phishing
Scammers are very fond of this technique that involves sending fake emails that resemble legitimate ones to acquire passwords and usernames. Unsuspecting users end up sending sensitive information to these scammers.
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Ransomware
Ransomware has gained popularity among scammers who encrypt a user’s hard drive containing crucial information. Then, they go ahead to ask for a ransom, without which the user cannot decrypt their hard disk and access their files. Upon payment, a decryption key is issued to them.
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Malware Attacks
Malware attacks are currently the second most significant threat to small businesses today. Most of the time, small businesses will employ a person who uses their device at work, which will be more prone to such attacks.
Malware originates from spam emails, internet downloads, or connecting one’s machine to another infected. They are extremely damaging as they can ruin expensive hardware that costs lots of money to replace. In addition, malware gives scammers backdoor access to sensitive information.
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Insider threats
Insider threats are attacks from within and entail a corporation member leaking sensitive information to a third party. This might be a trusted official or a stealthy subordinate who comes off as being innocent and naïve.
Disgruntled former employees could decide to act maliciously out of greed or anger and cause the downfall of your small business. On the other hand, some of your employees could be careless and end up causing more harm than they intended to.
Steps to Secure Your Business
Now that we have discussed the various threats your small business is at risk of facing, how then do you secure small business from these scammers? Here is how
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Update Software
Software systems are bound to contain weaknesses and loopholes that developers improve on as they release new updates. Therefore, hackers will take advantage of your site if you use software that is not up to date.
In the case that you lack an IT department to assist you, this might be a challenge. It would help if you automated the updating process on your applications to ensure you have maximum protection.
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SSL Certificate
A Security Socket Layer works by building secure encryption between your browser and the webserver. It acts as a privacy wall and protects your data from prying eyes. Would you mind ensuring you install an SSL certificate to protect crucial information such as credit card numbers? Installation of this SSL certificate establishes a sense of trust with your customers and browsers prevent your site from being marked as not secure. An insecure site has less traffic and a lower ranking in search results. if you are thinking of purchasing an SSL security for your website then, different branded options you can think of like Comodo SSL certificate, GlobalSign certificate, RapidSSL certificate etc.
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Backup Your Data
Nothing is more disastrous to a business than losing important data that businesses cannot recover. Therefore, it would help if you backed up any data you feel is essential as you can always restore it when the need arises. To make it easier for you, you can automate this process if you forget to schedule a time to back up your files.
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Use Strong and Unique Passwords
Using the same password across all your accounts can be very detrimental. If a scammer manages to guess one password right, this means that they will have access to all of your accounts and funds.
When creating a password, you should use numbers and symbols as well as capital letters. Long passwords of up to 15 characters are a safer alternative. Passwords containing more than one word are harder to guess.
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Firewalls
Software-based firewalls such as Microsoft Windows offer basic protection but be sure that hackers will not go easy on you. Would you mind installing hardware firewalls as they offer more advanced protection?
However, make sure to keep your Windows firewall on at all times when running Windows. Many firewall applications let you add browsing restrictions and protect your sites from any threats.
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Use of VPNs
Virtual Private Networks give your site anonymity in that they encrypt your device’s IP address. This way, your online activities become unknown to prying eyes. However, Internet service providers can track and monitor your browsing history and personal data using your IP address.
If they can track you, rest assured, hackers are not an exception. Using a VPN will hide your IP address and ensure that your data is safe.
In Conclusion
Research has shown that small businesses potentially lose up to $2.5 million per attack. Such a blow can be very devastating. Protecting your small business from cyberattacks secures your finances and your customer’s data, which you are obliged to protect.
Keep in mind that the complexity of your security system depends on the frequency and persistence of the attacks.