The Internet is the best gift in today’s fast-growing technology. The online world has made a place for itself in this real world. That world is growing at such a fast pace that it has taken over the real world to a large extent.
Why is the Online World So Powerful?
Its global reach and accessibility at the click of a mouse, including its ability to reach out the thousands of people in minutes, indefinitely makes it one of the most powerful social media platforms in today’s world.
With power, comes challenges, and hence operating an online business is challenging and full of threats.
Hackers use all sorts of ways to attack and penetrate networks, for gaining customer confidential information. These threats are risks to your online business and can harm or ruin your business empire.
Let us check a few of them.
Online Threats:
- Spam – Spam emails containing malware can disrupt your business.
- Adware – A type of malicious malware software that displays unwanted ads and gets hold of confidential information.
- Trojan – This malicious software damages your network and disrupts your data by un-protecting your computer.
- Virus – This malicious software is downloaded without user knowledge and attaches itself through programs, USB sticks, files, etc. thus damaging your site
- Worms – They usually crawl through evil email attachments or USB stick. They directly send emails to all other users and infect other email ids too.
- Phishing – Emails imitating to be from a legitimate source or a known identity and lure you into gaining confidential information.
- Spyware – This malicious software is attached to files when downloaded; can gain access, and harm your computer
There are DDoS attacks, Man-In-Middle attacks, etc. and many more to go. The list of threats continues, if hackers keep on finding more sophisticated ways to penetrate computers and networks.
With the Covid-19 pandemic still persistent, the protection of your online business becomes more necessary. As per Cybercrime Magazine, cybercrime damages are expected to rise to $6 Trillion by 2021.
Though the online world’s dangers are persistent, this does not stop business owners from doing online business. With all necessary precautions and preventions, these owners can try to protect and secure their business and succeed in securing customer information too.
Ways to Secure Online Business:
Be Prepared:
Never underestimate that your business is too small to be noticed by hackers, and hence you are safe. Your small business makes it a prime target for these cyber-criminals because they are aware that your small business cannot afford adequate web securities.
Be prepared to face them by having your web security in place, using strong and unique passwords for different accounts, enabling 2-factor authentications, keeping your software updated, installing firewalls and antivirus software.
Keep your Securities and Networks Updated:
Outdated antivirus software or any other expired web securities are a severe threat to business. They are not only vulnerable to human attacks but also system failures. This, in turn, causes information, identity, and monetary loss.
Since software and security updates are not available, it becomes effortless for unknown sources to target your online business and cause irrecoverable damages.
Go for automatic updates, so that all the patches and security lapses in your software are fixed immediately, once they are available. This will strengthen your web security.
Install SSL Certificate Security:
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates provide robust encryption security to your business website. This security is crucial for your business because it secures all communications between browsers and websites with encryption. It transforms this communication into coded language, difficult to read, or breakthrough.
Hackers usually cannot gain access to customer information.
Multiple types and brands of SSL certificates are available for securing your firm requirements.
Example:
Wildcard SSL certificate secures the primary domain and unlimited sub-domains with SHA 256-bit encryption algorithms. It comes with free server licenses and unlimited reissues; this certificate can be issued within a few minutes.
Take care of Internal Threats:
Some terminated or revengeful employees may pose an internal threat because they are aware of your business’s systems, securities, and processes.
Limit the accesses, limit the breaches, enforce strict policies and controls, keep complicated password policies, and use categorization strategies to reduce risk.
Web security training on timely intervals also helps prevent the breach attack.
Example: If a dedicated employee opens an unsolicited email by mistake, he/she should be aware of the latest security standards to take care of such mishaps.
Right Approach for Remote Work:
When your staff is working remotely and accessing your files and data, ensure that your web security is tight and updated. Ensure that they use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) always and never a public Wi-Fi.
Such small preventive steps always help avoid major risks and protect your online business.
Utilize Cloud Storage Facility:
Online storage in the form of Cloud Storage is a secure way to protect your online business. Many popular cloud storage systems identify intruders who try to access your system forcibly. They are also successful in stopping such attacks.
There are several cloud services providers available in the market. The best names are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Box, JustCloud, OpenDrive SpiderOak, etc.
Check out on Investopedia, for detailed information on these service providers, and their features.
The multiple benefits of Cloud Storages are:
Benefits:
- Disaster Recovery
- Security
- Usability and Accessibility
- Cost Benefits
- Easy Sharing
- Automation
- Scalability
- Convenience
Secure Sensitive Data Disposal:
Disposed confidential data, either on paper or on the device, is a feast for cyber-thieves. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB Act or GLBA) ensures that business owners securely dispose of their customer data.
Physical paper can be shredded in a secured bin, having strict controls for paper removal. Shredding services can be availed from office supply stores too.
Disk shredding or installing free disk wipe software like Eraser, KillDisk, etc. are good options for digital data.
Check for SmartPhone Vulnerabilities:
Mobile Banking malware rose to 50% in the first six months of 2019 as per site.
Smartphones used by employees should be ensured that they are updated regularly and should have Anti-virus App installed on it for mobile security. You should install an app like Spyfone to ensure maximum security of your data by live tracking with the app.
Hire Experts for Online Security:
If you are finding difficulty securing your business from intruders, it is best to hire experts that help you protect your business from vulnerabilities and cyber-attacks.
The cyber risk for any business is enormous, and apart from installing cybersecurity tools, outsourcing cyber-security services for overall business operations helps these SMB’s to firmly secure their business.
Report the Attack:
Never try to handle a breach situation by yourself or keep it a secret from your partners or customers. If you suspect a data breach, do not hesitate to inform your partners, customers, and ISO (Information Security Office) regarding the same.
The sooner you report, the more quickly they may be able to take preventive measures to stop further damages.
Conclusion:
This digital world is dangerous since lots of online threats are prevailing in the market. Cyber-thieves are on the lookout to fulfil their financial dreams, through security lapses, in your online world.
Implement the tips, as mentioned earlier, and secure your online world against these unwanted disasters. Best Wishes!!
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