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What is a Cyberattack?

A cyberattack is when your systems and/or network are deliberately hacked. Malicious code is used in cyberattacks to breach your computer's data to steal, leak, or hold it hostage.

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Cybersecurity for Businesses

Cyberthreats aren't just a concern for large enterprises, banks, and governments; they also affect small businesses. According to AdvisorSmith, 42% of small businesses have been the victim of a cyberattack in the last year.

 

Businesses are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks because they offer attackers a high reward-to-risk ratio. Perpetrators may believe that focusing on a corporation rather than single people is a better use of their time since the payoff is likely to be greater. Do not risk being attacked by highly competent cybercriminals.

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How To Prevent Cyberattacks

Given the many risks that cyberattacks pose, putting effort and time into preventing them is warranted. Here are some easy, effective ways of protecting your business from harmful data breaches and theft. 

• Ensure a secure Wi-Fi network. Cyberattacks often occur when hackers use the Wi-Fi network to gain access to other devices linked to it. Contact your internet provider to make sure it's taking your security seriously. 

• Use a firewall. Forcepoint notes that one of the most efficient strategies to defend your business against cyberattacks is to put your network behind a firewall. This security device can help to stop any brute-force assaults on your network and/or systems before they can cause damage.

• Use a safe, reputable accounting program. Obviously, bookkeeping is a must for any successful business. But make sure you’re using cloud bookkeeping software that’s not only effective, affordable, and easy to use, but safe as well!

• Keep your systems updated. Cyberattacks commonly occur because software systems are outdated, exposing vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals take advantage of these to get access to your network. Counteract this by setting your systems to update automatically as soon as updates become available.

• Protect your files. It may help to use password-protected PDFs for particularly sensitive data. This proves true for emails, too, which can be saved as PDFs. The procedure is straightforward and convenient: simply save the email as a PDF, and then you can share it from your iPhone. Only the recipient who is informed of the password can open it. 

• Educate your employees. Creating a solid cybersecurity policy for your company means educating your workers about best practices. It doesn't help to have a tight system in place if nobody adheres to it. Holding cybersecurity conferences to brief your employees about being careful may be a good idea. 

 

What To Do When Cyberattacked

After a breach, the first thing to do is figure out which servers have been hacked and confine them as quickly as possible to prevent other servers or devices from becoming affected.

• Turn off your internet

• Disable remote access

• Keep your firewall intact

• Install security updates

• Change passwords

 

Doing Business in Confidence

Cybersecurity is a growing threat around the world, and businesses are at risk of experiencing an attack. Keep your business safe by creating a strong, multilayered comprehensive cybersecurity system.

 

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