Underestimating Cybersecurity Threats
As businesses grow more dependent on the Internet, trolls and hackers use increasingly sophisticated tools to target them. Cybersecurity experts advise companies to be wary of the most common malware attacks.
Computer viruses can quickly do incalculable damage by rapidly replicating on your system while modifying or deleting files and folders essential to your operation.
Computer worms spread through your network, almost instantly infecting every computer in your business as they modify and delete vital data.
Spyware quietly spies on you and your employees, and transmits your company’s sensitive information to cybercriminals for blackmail or industrial espionage.
Keyloggers are a sneaky type of spyware that log your keystrokes and send them to hackers to help them commit financial fraud.
Ransomware is an especially dangerous type of malware that locks your critical files, folders, systems, or entire network until you pay a ransom in the form of a nearly untraceable cryptocurrency, a small fortune.
Relying Exclusively on Your Default Security System
Whether your company uses PCs, Macs, your default security system isn’t strong enough to protect your business. For example, Windows Security has been criticized for weaker malware detection rates than other leading antivirus solutions and it has shown poor performance in hands-on phishing protection tests.
The subpar performance of Windows Security should alarm business owners because of the regular discovery of security vulnerabilities in the Windows operating system. Such security holes can be exploited by hackers to breach your system with malware and steal your data.
Unfortunately, Microsoft usually takes precious time to patch security holes. Your best defence is antivirus software that offers real-time protection and shields your valuable data from threats at all hours of the day, and one that actually analyses the behaviour of malicious programs to detect whether they’re targeting your system.
While Macs are traditionally safer than PCs due to a more tightly controlled manufacturing process from Apple, cybersecurity threats against Macs are growing by the day.
According to the 2020 State of Malware Report, Mac software threats climbed 400% in 2019, more than Windows. It’s a good thing that well-reviewed antivirus software
for Macs can crush malware, adware, spyware, and other threats.
Relying on Free Antivirus Software
You wouldn’t use low-cost padlocks to lock your company doors, so why would you use free antivirus software to secure your business’s computers?
Free antivirus software offers low detection rates
Leading free antivirus software breaches your privacy by collecting data about your usage
The most downloaded free antivirus software issues false positives to appear useful
Many free antivirus programs carry bloatware and intrusive ads that slow your computers down to a crawl, hindering your business’s productivity.
The most popular free antivirus solutions suffer from data breaches, making them counterproductive to use.
When something is free, you need to ask yourself, “but at what cost?” Free antivirus software will cost you in the long run, whether compromising your uptime or tying up your time as you scramble for solutions once your system’s security is already compromised.
Remember, creating, running, and maintaining a comprehensive business security system that runs at lightning quick speed and prevents zero-day exploits, ransomware, or malicious downloads requires resources.
When you use a free security solution, you pay for it one way or the other down the road.
You Must Be Proactive
It’s critical to be proactive when managing your company’s cybersecurity. Think of it as insurance that protects your business from worst-case scenarios.
According to Forbes, 28% of small- to medium-sized businesses experienced data breaches in 2019.
While some companies took months to repair the damage, others struggled to recover and closed permanently.
Small businesses like yours should take these attacks seriously, as more employees work remotely, away from the safety of company computers and networks. The right cybersecurity software for your business should secure and empower every member of your team, offer dedicated support, and work on various platforms. Moreover, it should be cost-effective.
5 Cyber Security Tips
1. Keep Your Software Up to Date
Turn on automatic system updates.
Make sure your desktop web browser uses automatic security updates.
Keep your web browser plugins updated.
2. Use Anti-Virus Protection & Firewall
Anti-virus (AV) protection software has been the most prevalent solution to fight malicious attacks.
Using a firewall is also important when defending your data against malicious attacks.
3. Use Strong Passwords & Use a Password Management Tool
You’ve probably heard that strong passwords are critical to online security. The truth is passwords are important in keeping hackers out of your data!
4. Use Two-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication
Two-factor or multi-factor authentication is a service that adds additional layers of security to the standard password method of online identification. Without two-factor authentication, you would normally enter a username and password. But, with two- factor, you would be prompted to enter one additional authentication method such as a Personal Identification Code, another password or even fingerprint.
5. Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi
Don’t use a public Wi-Fi without using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). By using a VPN, the traffic between your device and the VPN server is encrypted. This means it’s much more difficult for a cybercriminal to obtain access to your data on your device. Use your cell network if you don’t have a VPN when security is important.
