TIL – 71% of data breaches target small businesses, here’s nine ways to stay safe(r)

It feels like every week some huge company gets hacked and me, you, and everyone’s personal information ends up in the hands of scammers and identity thefts. Until recently I thought that attackers focused on large companies because they have more data…turns out I was wrong.

According to Michael Kaiser, Executive Director of the National CyberSecurity Alliance, “Nearly half of all cyber attacks target small businesses.” Small-scale companies are easy targets for online hackers because of a handful of reasons. Unfortunately, most small business owners either aren’t aware of these issues or don’t invest in the right security software and training to minimize these problems. (Source – NameCheap)

Of course, not surprisingly, a lot of these breaches could be prevented if more small businesses followed a better security regime, and it all starts with privacy. NameCheap put together one of the most comprehensive guides I’ve ever seen on everything you’d need to know about privacy as a small business owner.

In the guide, NameCheap put together a solid list of nine ways that small businesses can protect their business online. Two that have always really stood out to me are:

Two-factor authentication – this is a big one since any password you’ve used anywhere else could have already fallen into the hands of scammers.

Given that anyone who takes possession of a password can waltz into an account and take whatever they need, all logins pertaining to your emails, banking, and website login need to be bolstered with two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA was devised as an answer to the shortcomings of the password. It boosts security by providing an extra layer of account protection, like a PIN or confirmation request sent to your phone in real time.

Start using a VPN – I’ve been using VPNs for years, especially at places like airports where hackers are known to have a field day.

Every time you use WiFI networks, you are actively increasing the risk of outsiders gaining access to your business’s data. A shady cafe employee or someone sitting at another table could be spying on you, gathering information transmitted through the business’s open internet traffic. Using a VPN helps ensure no one is snooping on your connection. As a general rule of thumb, when you’re out of your home or office network, you really need a VPN.

This is only two out of nine security measures, so if you’re a small business looking to beef up security and avoid becoming another data breach story, NameCheap has you covered with this handy guide.