Just because you have a small business doesn’t mean you aren’t susceptible to cyber attacks. In fact, criminals are more likely to attack a small business since they typically don’t have as much data security as larger corporations. Having IT support for small business is essential in keeping the company running. However, some of these services and tools can be a little out of budget range for a small business owner. The good news is there are tools you can use yourself to save money and still protect your important information.
Complete Disk Encryption Tools
Any small business has sensitive information stored on their network, whether it’s bank information, credit card numbers or anything else. You most likely don’t even need the help of IT consulting services to encrypt the data. Many operating systems have standard encryption tools available for the user. Look into the type of encryption your system offers so you know what’s protected and what you need to do to ensure it’s safe from hackers at all times.
Hide Your Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is generally easier to hack into than a wired network, but most small businesses tend to prefer a wireless network. By disabling the SSID function on the router, you will essentially make your network invisible to anyone on the outside. This isn’t a complete protection method so most IT firms will also recommend encrypting the Wi-Fi network to add another layer of protection.
Utilize Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Protection
You can be as careful as you want when it comes to protecting your network, but your employees may not be. One simple click on a link or email attachment can accidentally install viruses and malware on your network. Anti-virus and anti-malware protections aren’t extremely expensive and are easy to install without the help of IT consulting services. When you have them installed, be sure to keep them up-to-date so they’ll be as effective as possible at all times.
These are simple tools you can use as a small business owner to protect your network. If you need any advice, give us a call at any time.
