Because you need money to make money
A hospital in Wichita is still reeling from a cyber-attack it suffered last week. The Kansas Heart Hospital fell victim to ransomware -- a software that encrypts all the files on your computer and then demands a ransom to unlock them. They paid the ransom, but according to reports, the hackers only gave back partial access to the files before demanding more money to unlock the rest.
Fortunately, the attack didn’t jeopardize the hospital’s patient files, which would have made the situation much worse. But they could have avoided the bad situation altogether if they had better computer and network security in place.
It’s not just hospitals that are being targeted. Major companies like Sony, LinkedIn, and Target have recently fallen prey to hackers. Since small businesses can be even more vulnerable, here are five cybersecurity tips to help you keep your company out of the hands of today’s cyber-criminals.
If the Kansas hospital had a proper backup system in place, then the ransomware attack would have been a lot less effective. You can learn from their mistake. We recommend using a cloud storage option that automatically backs up your data as you save it on your physical machines.
There are several companies out there that offer this type of service. Some of the most popular options are Microsoft Cloud, SugarSync, Dropbox Business, and MozyPro.
If you go with an option that doesn’t back up everything, you’ll need to choose which files to save. Here’s where you should start:
Remember, saving your files in more than one place can be a lifesaver if the worst ever should happen.
Your employees are your greatest assets as well as your biggest liabilities. That’s especially true when they’re using their computers. So be sure to establish clear cybersecurity rules.
We recommend creating a thorough cybersecurity plan that’s unique to your type of business. After you develop a good set of rules, you’ll need to go over them with your employees. Here are a few basic rules to help you get started:
If your office doesn’t currently employ an IT specialist, it might be time to have one come in and check out your computers. They can help you set up new antivirus and antispyware programs if you don’t have them already, check to make sure all your drivers are updated properly, look for any security holes in unpatched software you might be using, and suggest any necessary improvements to your cybersecurity plan.
Cyber-thieves will sometimes hack into one business to access another. So you should consider which businesses you have relationships with and who might be more vulnerable to an attack.
If you feel like there’s a chance some of your less reputable partners are more risk than they’re worth, it might be time to cut ties with them.
You should also keep in mind that businesses might stop working with you if they think you are a security threat.
You don’t want to risk someone hacking through your Wi-Fi to access your computers. So consider this when setting up your office’s Wi-Fi:
Leaving your Wi-Fi open is like leaving the front door open when you are away. It just doesn’t make sense.
One of the reasons big companies keep getting hacked is because cyber-criminals are always adapting to the latest security protocols. There is a way to beat them. You just have to stay one step ahead.
Put yourself in the shoes of a cyber-thief and try to figure out how you would break into your system. This will help you better fortify your security. If you don’t have time to foolproof your system and keep up to date on the latest hacks, it might be time to hire a full-time IT specialist.
Now that you have a sleek new device, you won’t need the old one anymore. It’s smart to sell your old devices as soon as possible, to make sure you get the highest price for them (your older model will drop in value quite a bit as new models are announced and released in the spring).
We suggest you get rid of them fast, but not too fast. You’ll want to wipe your sensitive data off of them first.
If you’re not sure how to get rid of all your sensitive personal data, you’re not alone. Recently NBC Nightly News bought several used electronics online and then tried to see how much data they could recover from the devices. Without much trouble, they were able to pull names, phone numbers, addresses, Social Security numbers, and more from the devices.
This kind of information can make it possible for criminals to steal your identity and cause you a whole lot of trouble.
It’s best to nip this in the bud and appropriately wipe your data before you sell your old devices. Depending on the device, there are different steps you will need to take.
If you’re selling a laptop or PC, you might want to remove the old hard drive, destroy it, and replace it with a new one.
For cell phones, you should encrypt your data. Then the only way to access your data will be with the encryption code, which hopefully the buyer won’t have.
For more tips on how to get your personal information off your devices before selling them, read this informative article from Consumer Reports.
In this day and age, it’s essential to have a top-tier Internet security program running on your device.
We’re sure you knew that already, but you’d be surprised how many small business owners procrastinate setting up Internet security on their new computers. That’s not smart. This should be one of the first programs you install on your new device.
There are usually great sales going on for security suites during this time of year. So make sure you’re saving at least 50-percent on whatever package you end up choosing.
After you install the software, set it up for automatic updates. Ideally, it should run in the background without you needing to scan and update it.
Even the most prepared will sometimes fall prey to a cyber-criminal. Don’t beat yourself up about it – these crooks are always innovating their attack plans and are often a step ahead.
To have a fighting chance against them, you’ll need to monitor your accounts and look for suspicious activity proactively. This is especially important during the first few weeks you’re using a new device.
Here are a few important steps you can take to try to prevent identity theft:
The main point is to keep your head up, stay alert, and be as safe with your digital information as you are with the paper files you keep in your office.
We hope these tips help keep your office safe against today’s savviest cyber-criminals. If you do end up getting hacked, there are a few things you should do right away:
If you do fall victim to identity theft, it’s important to get an identity theft report as soon as possible. This report is made up of an ID theft affidavit that you’ll get from the Federal Trade Commission, as well as a police report that you’ll get from your local police department. These documents are needed when dealing with any company or bank with fraudulent accounts set up in your name.
Depending on the severity of your situation, you may also need to let other organizations know about your identity theft. Consider informing the major credit reporting agencies, individual retailers, and anywhere you have an account.
Like in many things in life, a good defense is the best offense. As you actively prepare for the worst, you’ll be a less obvious target for cyber-criminals. Start now.
