This is Two Minute Tech Tips, I’m your host Lester Steward. In this series we are discussing Business cybersecurity and what you need to know to protect your business.
According to the source Small Business Trends, 43% of cybersecurity attacks are aimed at small businesses. Most small businesses lack a good security infrastructure or any kind of disaster response plan. I haven’t been hacked myself yet but have helped several people deal with the pain. It makes you distrustful to anyone that may actually be trying to help, and while it’s a good thing to stay vigilant, it’s not good to be so critical that you suspect everyone is out to get you.
If you suspect an attack the first thing to do is cut off internet, whether that’s to the PC you are using or to the business itself. If there is no connection outside then the data has a lower chance to be manipulated. If the hack occurs and there are other devices on the same network then it is best to shut those down or disconnect them from the internet. If you are presented with a phone number to call on the PC, don’t. This can be part of the scam. Many times these hacks will pop-up a webpage with a loud noise and large warning signs, if that happens simply unplug the PC or hold down the power button until it stops.
For a small business it’s a good idea to have a local IT partner that can quickly respond to any intrusion. I don’t want to sound like a commercial but when we on-board a client it comes with a peace of mind that we put in place protections and we are always on the look-out for threats. Often times an IT partner will know there’s a problem before the client finds out. And if for some reason you can’t afford an always available IT partner, you should have someone you know with the knowledge to help deal with a hack.
On the next episode I’m going to talk about what to do after you get hacked.
If you need any information on this subject, please let North Tech Group know by visiting our website ntgak.com and give us a follow-on Facebook or Twitter, where I post more tips to staying safe online.
Thanks for joining me, Lester Steward for your Two Minute Tech Tips, helping you keep safe in your cybersecurity world.