Some small businesses do not have the budget to be able to have an in-house specialist in cybersecurity on the payroll. Additionally, and this is good news, there is no need for this unless the business is handling highly sensitive information on a continual basis.
Working with a top internet security provider can help a business of any size to have the systems in place to minimize network security threats and to prevent outside hackers from being able to gain access to your system and your data.
In the past, hackers were more likely to target the big businesses with massive amounts of data. These included health insurance companies, major national or international chains or other large online companies. However, it is just as likely today that a small business will be impacted by a breach if the business owner fails to provide the right protection for their network, data transfer systems and the email system.
Cybersecurity And The Reality of Hacking
The most common form of hacking that is widely recognized, for both businesses as well as for individuals, is the use of phishing techniques. Phishing, to be clear in a definition, is a form of beach that includes the hacker sending a series of emails from what appears to be a trusted or recognized source.
People using the business email system open the emails and click on a link contained within or respond to the email, providing additional information the hackers can use to breach your system.
By clicking on the link and providing certain information, downloading a virus or other types of activities, the hacker gains access to the system. While it is not a highly sophisticated hacking method, but it is very effective.
Teaching employees about cybersecurity basics and how to spot and recognize phishing or spearphishing (seeking confidential information through emails from a spoofed trusted source), starts with training for the business on how to detect this issues. Simply ensuring that no links in any email are ever assumed to be trusted is a good start.
While this is a good start, there are other network security tools available to businesses to protect data and prevent hackers from gaining access to your system. There are some internet security companies providing free versions of these tools, making them extremely cost effective for any business to use.
Cybersecurity With Anti-Spyware
One of the key cyber security tools that every business needs to have in place is an effective and efficient anti-spyware program. It should be a program that can detect the presence of software is on a computer that is stealing your confidential data.
These programs, when downloaded through a link or accessing a “free giveaway” online, install on the computer. When the desired download occurs, the spyware is also downloaded, hiding in the install. It then collects data, including keystrokes to detect passwords, changes computer settings and even redirects browser searches to spoof websites.
Cybersecurity – Anti- Malware and Antivirus
Malware and viruses are a cyber threat that includes more than just spyware. They are designed to gain access to your computer and then do damage to the system as well as gathering and transmitting data.
Malware and viruses can be downloaded from the web or by clicking on an email link. There is a continual stream of new malware and viruses developed on an ongoing basis. Choosing any network security software with a robust anti-malware and antivirus component will be a must for business.
Firewalls
While the elements of an effective internet security system discussed to this point are reactive and seek out these items, the firewall is a proactive way to provide network security.
A firewall is similar to a filter. It allows security and safety for outgoing data, but it prevents specific types of traffic from entering the system. Think of a firewall as a fence, keeping unrecognized programs or sites from coming through the gate or from going out of the gate.
A firewall is configured to a particular set of rules or protocols. The configuration will block access to known sites on the internet that contain malware or that are unsafe or unsecure. It will also stop those sites or known hacker attacks from getting into your system in the first place, helping to eliminate the risk of an employee accidentally downloading something that will create a breach in the system.
Finally, the best cyber protection will also provide a safe, secure place for the testing of unknown or unrecognized files. It is typically called a sandbox, which automatically or through user selection, moves identified files into a quarantine area or a vault for further testing.
This type of internet security is critical to prevent zero-day attacks. These are hacking and data breaches that occur and are exploited by hackers before the security programs are developed to prevent the attack. With this type of proactive testing for malware, spyware, viruses, rootkits or other types of malicious content, your network can be safe, secure and at extremely low risk for simple or more advanced hacking attempts.
Author Bio:
Ashraf is a Technical Blog Writer from Comodo. He writes about information security, focusing on web security, operating system security and endpoint protection systems.
