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Why Website Security Should Be Top Priority for Your Small Business

The use of modern technology has helped small businesses be on an equal footing with their larger competitors. With a good website, engaging content, and planned social media presence, even the smallest of businesses could find customers and establish a bond with them.

At the same time, this means that even small businesses need to think about and invest in cybersecurity, and especially if you are a startup that offers an innovative solution, investing in a secure and robust website should be the top priority. The threats could come from both within your business and from outside hackers, which means you need to prepare on both fronts.

Here are some of the most common threats that your business might be facing:

Malware

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Malware is one of the most common problems businesses have with cybersecurity. The hackers usually take advantage of outdated apps or programs to get into your security system and plant the malware. It could also happen if you use file sharing. The problem is that not all computers have the same level of protection and the weaker ones are used as entry points.

The easiest way to prevent this is to get a professional and regularly-updated antivirus program. This seems obvious but it gets overlooked more often than you think. It’s also a good idea to train your employees about the proper use of the security features.

Passwords

A significant amount of hacking incidents could be prevented just by being more vigilant about cybersecurity. Having strong passwords protects both your business and the information of your customers and clients, which is often the most important part of the business itself.

Don’t let employees create their own passwords; they will always create bad, memorable ones. Use a password generator and create a two-point access system for all the important data. And in the end, make it a habit to change the passwords as often as you can.

Hosting selection

As much as half of the hacking intrusions happen because the hosting company didn’t put proper emphasis on security. Do thorough research before choosing a hosting provider because it could save you a lot of money and trouble.

A good hosting company should have powerful enough servers to provide a 24/7 service. Ask around about the uptime information before you decide on a company. You should also think in advance about the future needs of your business and find out about the possibility of upgrading the servers you currently have without too much disruption in terms of cost and service.

Access attempts

Keep track of people trying to access your website from unusual locations or unknown devices. That’s usually the sign of a hacking attempt. The employees shouldn’t use their personal devices to do any official tasks, so you can be secure on the home front. Create a system that blocks the entry to the site after a few failed attempts.

A two-step authentication system should be in place for accessing any important data or money related tasks. This means that, in order to sign in, the employee needs to use passwords on both the computer and the device that only they use.

What businesses should be on the lookout

No industry is immune to the dangers of hacking. It’s not only about crashing your website or stealing your money. Hacking could seriously jeopardize the security and privacy of your clients and protecting them should be as important as protecting yourself.

However, businesses that collect a lot of personal data about their clients and those who use the internet to perform most of the transactions are most endangered and should start investing in cybersecurity right away.

The Bottom Line:

Website security is one of the most important issues for small businesses and startups. The loss of reputation that comes with a security breach could cost more than lost data or money. Creating a comprehensive system of protection should be one of your first investments.

 

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