Stay Safe From Cyberthreats With These Business Network Security Tips
Everyone is vulnerable to cyberattacks and hacking, from small businesses to multinational corporations. According to Symantec , companies with 250 employees or less had 31% cyberattacks in 2012. So, if you think your small business is safe, that couldn’t be further from the truth. That is why it is vital to enhance your business network security and invest in it.
For further information and pricing on leased lines, click here .
How to Protect Yourself From Cyber Attacks
Strengthen Your Passwords and Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
Formulate robust passwords containing a blend of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, refraining from incorporating personal details or easily predictable words.
Employ a password manager to generate and securely store distinct passwords for various accounts.
Activate MFA whenever feasible, adding an extra layer of security by necessitating a secondary verification step, such as a code from your mobile device, during login attempts.
Exercise Caution Regarding Phishing Attempts:
Stay vigilant against phishing emails or messages, which often endeavour to deceive recipients into clicking on harmful links or downloading attachments that may install malware onto their devices.
Exercise caution when encountering emails or messages that prompt urgent action, evoke a sense of fear, or offer overly enticing promises.
Refrain from clicking on dubious links or attachments; instead, hover over the link to inspect the actual URL before proceeding.
Verify the legitimacy of the sender before responding to emails or messages, particularly if they seem unfamiliar.
Maintain Updated Software:
Routinely update your operating system, web browser, and other software to address security vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit.
Enable automatic updates wherever feasible to ensure prompt security enhancements.
Exercise Discretion When Downloading:
Download software solely from reputable sources, abstaining from acquiring files from unfamiliar websites or email attachments.
Exercise caution with free software downloads, as they might harbour concealed malware.
Deploy Firewall and Antivirus Software:
Employ a firewall to obstruct unauthorised access to your computer network.
Utilise antivirus software to identify and eradicate malware from your devices.
Ensure both your firewall and antivirus software are consistently updated.
Exercise Caution on Public Wi-Fi:
Refrain from accessing sensitive information, such as bank accounts or online shopping platforms, while utilising public Wi-Fi.
Consider utilising a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic when using public Wi-Fi networks.
Regularly Back Up Your Data :
Maintain regular backups of critical data on an external hard drive or cloud storage to safeguard against potential cyberattacks or hardware malfunctions.
Practice Responsible Online Behaviour:
Exercise prudence when sharing information online, particularly on social media platforms.
Refrain from publicly disclosing personal details like your home address, phone number, or birthdate.
Exercise caution when accepting friend requests or following unfamiliar individuals online.
Stay Informed and Educate Yourself:
Stay abreast of the latest cyber threats and scams through online resources and cybersecurity organisations, augmenting your knowledge on how to maintain security.
Report Suspicious Activity:
If you suspect being the target of a cyberattack, promptly report it to the relevant authorities and your security software provider for necessary action.
How to Minimise Exposure to Cyber Threats
Thankfully, there exist effective and cost-efficient methods to mitigate your organisation’s vulnerability to common cyber attacks on systems connected to the Internet. The following measures are detailed in Cyber Essentials, along with guidance on their implementation:
Boundary Firewalls and Internet Gateways:
Establish network perimeter defences, including web proxy, web filtering, content checking, and firewall policies. These measures help detect and block executable downloads, restrict access to known malicious domains, and prevent users’ computers from directly communicating with the Internet.
Malware Protection:
Maintain robust malware defences to identify and respond to known attack code effectively.
Patch Management:
Regularly update software to address known vulnerabilities with the latest versions, thereby thwarting attacks that exploit software bugs.
Allow Listing and Execution Control:
Implement measures to prevent unknown software from executing or installing itself. This includes disabling AutoRun on USB and CD drives.
Secure Configuration:
Configure every device, operating system, and application to operate with the minimum functionality necessary for business operations.
Password Policy:
Enforce an appropriate password policy across your organisation, ensuring passwords are strong, regularly updated, and securely managed.
User Access Control:
Limit execution permissions for regular users and adhere to the principle of least privilege, granting only the permissions necessary for users to perform their duties effectively.
What to do During a Cyber Attack
A Handy Youtube Guide About Cyber Threats
VIDEO
Other Articles We Thought You Would Find Interesting
Other useful links about leased lines:
Ethernet First Mile Costs
EFM Business Broadband
Leased Lines – The Best Networks
Remember to Compare Your Business Costs is here to help your business every step of the way from business advice , or saving you time and money on your business purchases such as:
Ally Cox is a dedicated Copywriter and Blogger for CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk. In under two years, the platform achieved the esteemed accolade of ‘Website of the Year’. Since its award-winning debut, Ally has been instrumental in fostering organic growth for the website, expanding its offerings to encompass comparisons across a diverse range of over 20 products to help serve all your business needs.