Business Beginner

Now that you read Part 1 , you understand what Ransomware is and why it has become the single most costly problem in the world of IT security and business data protection, let’s take a look at several simple, easy-to- deploy solutions that can prevent an unwanted and costly ransomware intrusion in your business.  Restrict User Administrative Access  This is a very simple step to take. Users should have their administrative access restricted – ideally removing the ability to install new programs without the IT team’s supervision . This will help your business avoid the most common cause of infection: users downloading infected attachments from emails.  Granted, this will not be popular with your users. If your users already have administrative rights to their workstations then you will have to drag them along kicking and screaming. That said, a past report confirms what many security professionals have long presumed: Removing administrator rights from everyday user a...

Most large businesses have robust protections in place to prevent infection from viruses, breaches of important data, and other undesirable intrusions by outsiders. However, there is one particularly dangerous type of virus that takes advantage of the underserved and under resourced, and can either totally destroy a small business , or cost it a tremendous sum of money. It’s known as “ransomware”.  What Is Ransomware?  Ransomware is one of the latest malicious software crazes and as the name may suggest, the primary goal is to hold your important data for ransom. Generally, ransomware is unknowingly downloaded from an email with an unsuspicious attachment or can come as a payload from another malware and dropped quietly in your system by exploit kits, after which it begins replicating on the host computer.  The method by which ransomware holds your important data for ransom is simple – encryption. The virus begins encrypting your files and moving them to encrypted folder...

Data breaches are increasingly common in today's tech-based workspace. There's more money to be had stealing customer records than going in for cash, and savvy criminals now have their eyes on these valuable goods. In 2016, data breaches increased 40 percent . These breaches rack up numerous costs, from legal fees and data recovery to lost loyalty from customers. Save money by staying proactive about your security.  Firewalls Keep Threats Out  Your firewall is your first line of defense against malicious attacks. Firewalls help filter information, protecting data that you want to keep inside your security parameters, and keeping hackers at bay on the other side. This will minimize unwanted network communications. The best firewalls also alert your IT security team to any attempted breach , so you can investigate the threat early and seek out malware before it has a chance to root itself in your system. This early alert will help save you from exorbitantly costly attacks. ...

In the past, thieves had to break through physical locks and barriers to steal money and information. But today, a talented hacker could try to access your business information and finances without ever stepping foot inside. But while digital thieves may seem unstoppable, they really aren't. Making use of some basic precautions and defenses can deter and prevent hackers from ever harming you or your business  1. Establish Precautionary Habits  Carelessness can make it easy for hackers to obtain the information they need. Establishing rules and guidelines for yourself and your employees to follow can help keep your business secure. When an employee needs to work remotely, make sure the network they're connected to is secure. Avoid downloading unneeded software, and be careful when clicking on links sent in emails. It's also a good idea to purge information from your site whenever possible. Don't store unnecessary email addresses, credit card information, or other custom...

We are already deep into the digital age and we have seen some cool innovations and trends that will be available soon on the market, if you haven't starting using them already. From improved self-driving cars and advanced virtual reality devices , to smart home innovations and mobile industry trends... this year has been very interesting so far.  Constant advancements in technology are bound to improve almost every aspect of our lives. However, it’s time to ask ourselves this: what does this year have in store for businesses? Are there any technology trends that will change the way we operate our companies going forward ?  Luckily, the answer is yes, there are. With a little bit of research, we analyzed the current business technology trends and put together a list of the most impactful ones, so you know exactly what to keep an eye out for this year. Read on, take a few mental notes, and arm yourself with these useful tips. Virtual Workforce Freelancers have been a part of t...

Keeping your business information secure is absolutely imperative to your company's future . These days, one of the biggest assets a company has is its data. That data can help chart the future for a company and really give it a competitive advantage over other businesses in the marketplace. However, companies must make an effort to keep their business information secure . If they don’t, the consequences can be severe. Here are a few reasons why.  1.  A Data Breach Is A Public Relations Nightmare  Hackers and cyber criminals don’t target just any data stored on company servers . They want what can make them a profit. This is usually the credit card information for that company’s customers. When that information is stolen, credit card fraud, identity theft and other crimes targeting those customers will soon follow. The fallout for a company’s brand can be horrendous. Many people will refuse to do business with you with the assumption that they could end up having their da...

These days, the kind of theft that many businesses are worried about isn’t armed robbery, shoplifting or even employees stealing office supplies. Instead, it’s the theft of a company’s intellectual property. Perhaps there is no intellectual property more valuable than trade secrets. These are what give a business an edge in a competitive market. Below are five strategies that can be used to keep your trade secrets safe.  1. Accurately Identify Your Trade Secrets  Before you can take action to protect your trade secrets, you must first identify them. For example, if you run an Italian restaurant, your pizza sauce recipe could be a trade secret. However, trade secrets don’t have to be secret formulas. They could also be information you have amassed such as customer lists, supplier information, product profit margins and more.  2. Hire An Intellectual Property Lawyer  S econd, you should learn about the laws that were put in place to protect trade secrets. On the feder...

Data security is the buzzword on the lips of every small business owner in the modern era. Everyone who runs a business must carefully monitor the safety of important documents both on and offline -- luckily, there are a few excellent strategies that employers can use to protect the safety of their employees and confidential data without spending a lot on outsourcing security help.  I. Invest In Virus Protection Software  Virus protection software should be essential for every business that operates on the internet, but it is more essential the larger the company is. Any employee could unwittingly open up an email that exposes the company's computer system to malware or outside invasion. Having anti-virus software on your company's side helps diminish the risk of external attacks and system shutdowns. Without this software keeping your system updated and guarded, you might not even know about a security breach until it is too late.  II. Rent A Company Storage Unit...

With the recent uptick in data breaches at major companies and government organizations, cyber security should a focal point of training for every company. The following 5 tips will help keep your employees safe online while using company email and while working on a computer at the office.  1. Watch Out for Phishing Emails  Phishing occurs when a malicious individual sends out a fake email pretending to be a real company asking someone to login. When a person enters their information thinking that they're logging in to their account, sensitive information is automatically compromised. These types of emails are normally used to gather personal information, like social security numbers, full names, addresses, credit card numbers and more. Your employees need to be aware of this threat, and need to dispose of such emails immediately.  Require Strong Passwords  The vast majority of consumers use the same password for every account they own, including those at work. Th...