Sound The Alarm - Keeping Your Systems Safe May 4, 2009
Six Ways to Keep Your Systems Safe:
Security is a huge concern these days for the small business. Gone are the times when the biggest worry was what type of PC or laptop to purchase. Now the small business owner must be thinking in terms of keeping the business data assets safe from unauthorized access.
Six Ways to Keep Your Systems Safe:
1. Install security software. You can go with McAfee or Norton, but there are freebies like Avast out there that can do the trick. Cover both virus protection and spyware or you’ll be sorry.
2. Use your firewall. This is the best first line of defense against a security breach. It won’t handle everything, but it will help stop the basic amateur threat. It can do a good job of blocking unauthorized traffic between your network and the internet. This can be done through software and hardware.
3. Install OS updates. Always install updates. Move from older OS’ to Windows XP Pro, if possible. For a Mac, move to Leopard (OSX) - it’s more secure.
4. Keep employees apprised of safe email practices. It’s never a good idea to open suspicious-looking email. You don’t have a long-lost relative in Zimbabwe who just left you $1.5 million. Don’t fall for it.
5. Secure your wireless network. Wireless networks are very vulnerable to hackers. Most times someone just wants to use your bandwidth to access the internet when they have no other options. But that one time that someone is accessing your network because they want to cause you problems will make you wish you had taken this easy precaution long ago. Always setup your network to use a WEP key.
6. Be aware of who is using your laptops and PCs. It’s like giving them a key to your house. They have access to your network, shared drives, company data, etc. Many computer problems and network breeches start with unauthorized use of computers within the organization. Guard your PCs and laptops in secure areas, use password protection, and have processes in place to outline proper use of your equipment when it is taken outside the organization.
Bottom line is that we are sometimes too trusting. I myself operated this way on my home network for far too long. I had my Linksys router setup to keep family members from accessing sites they shouldn’t access, and keeping them off the network altogether during inappropriate hours. But as far as monitoring the guy next door, it took me a long time to put that security in place. Luckily there were never any problems or breeches, but I’ve now secured my network and data and I sleep better at night.
