Internet Safety: How You Can Protect Your Small Business From Internet Crimes

Small businesses are becoming more frequently targeted in Internet based crimes by hackers who are increasingly sophisticated and threats that are more widespread. It’s easy for criminals to hack a small business's computer system, if it has a weak defense. Putting an Internet security plan in place will help lessen your risk and prevent criminals from accessing sensitive information like banking numbers, email accounts, customer information, financial records, etc.   

We’ve compiled a few tips and resources to help you establish cybersecurity precautions for your small business.

• Train your employees.
• Set clear expectations and rules regarding what can and cannot be installed or downloaded on work computers.
• Make sure employees are backing up their work regularly.
• Facilitate password changes on a regular basis and make sure employees know what constitutes a secure password.
• Employees should be able to recognize suspicious links and emails and know not to open them.

• Assess your computer network and formulate a cybersecurity plan. The FCC offers a Small Biz Cyber Planner that helps businesses discover and protect themselves from “growing cyber threats.”
• Encrypt any confidential information.
• Update your security software regularly. Bugs, viruses and malware are ever evolving. In order for your computer to remain secure, you need to stay up to date with security software.

• Protect your customers by having and following a privacy policy. If you use the Internet to communicate with customers and collect their information, you could be putting them at risk. The FCC offers some best practices which can help your small business safeguard clients from online risks.
• Keep any data retention to a minimum. Unless you need the information to deliver the product, don’t ask for it. The less sensitive information you have, the less risk to your business and to customers.
• Talk to your customers and make sure they understand what information you need and why. If you keep track of purchase history to help make product recommendations, explain this. Additionally, try to make policies as simple and clear as possible. Oftentimes consumers skim through the fine print. Break it down into pieces of information that will be easily digested.

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