Cyber attacks have become a common ongoing issue for small businesses. Entrepreneurs need to be proactive. Here are 10 things small businesses should do immediately to protect their websites from a cyberattack.
How to Protect Your Website from Cyber Attacks
Back Up Your Data
“Maintaining tested backups of your website content is critical to protecting your site from damage due to a compromise,” Neill Feather President at SiteLock, LLC told Small Business Trends.
“ Use the 3-2-1 backup strategy: Maintain three copies of your data, on two different mediums, with one being stored off site.”
If you haven’t done so, look into the cloud as one of these mediums.
Use the Phone
Protecting your small business website from a cyberattack is about using older technology too. Call to verify financial requests. It takes a few extra minutes but can save you the headache of being hacked.
Manage Your Passwords
Criminals can’t get in when you keep the door to your online business properly locked. Strong passwords are the key to good cybersecurity. Use two factor authentication, upper and lower case letters, numbers and at least one special character.
“Companies should require employees utilize a password management application and to never reuse passwords across applications or sites,” Feather says.
Check them for compliance today.
Update Your Software
Small business websites are big parts of marketing for brick and mortar and online stores.
Updating your software helps you to stay ahead of cybercriminals. Mandatory update policies are a must for every small business. Managed hosting or automatic updates are logical choices for open source software like WordPress.
Stay Informed
Staying current on the news that can affect your small business helps. Reading cybersecurity ezines can help you stay ahead of emerging trends and know what to look out for.
Utilize Firewalls
According to Feather, SiteLock research reports small business websites experience 22 attacks per day, or 8,000 attacks annually. He stresses the need for good firewall protection to repel them.
He says two are best — one to protect employee and customer records and one geared to website traffic.
Apply SSL
If you don’t have this certificate for your small business website, you need to get it. It establishes an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. Translation? SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption is a type of gold standard for cybersecurity.
Tweak Your Wireless Network
Wireless networks are everywhere. They aren’t the most secure but you can tweak one quickly to strengthen it. Disabling the service set identifier (SSID) on the router hides your network from prying eyes.
Scan Now
“Your business website should include a daily malware scan and automatic malware removal,” Feather says. An updated version of any malware scanner is your first line of defense. If you haven’t looked to see if these are working on your system today, do it now.
Start Gamification
If you haven’t started already, start thinking about contests and games that will make cyber security awareness fun at your small business.
Finding ways to encourage employee interaction over cybersecurity keeps everyone on their toes.
Woman Typing Photo via Shutterstock