As a business owner in the modern era, staying on top of online security is essential for protecting your company’s digital assets and information. With cyber threats constantly evolving, it’s important to regularly review and enhance your security practices both in the office and on the go. This article highlights some key strategies that can help bolster your business’s defenses in the ever-changing online world.
Utilize a Password Manager
Even those with exceptional memories can struggle to recall hundreds of complex passwords. Thankfully, password managers provide a secure and convenient solution for accessing passwords online. A password manager allows you to use one master password to unlock all your stored credentials, across all of your devices.
Check out 1Password or LastPass, if you don’t already have one. Implementing a password manager for your entire team is a smart step toward maximizing security.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication adds an essential second layer of security when logging into websites and accounts. Instead of relying solely on a password, 2FA requires an additional verification step, such as entering a code sent to your mobile device. This process is likely already familiar if you engage in online banking activities.
While having to complete that extra step can feel like a minor inconvenience, it’s a small price to pay for preventing the much larger problems that can arise from account compromises and data breaches.
Be Vigilant with Emails
Exercise caution when handling emails, as scam attempts can appear deceptively legitimate. Malicious emails may try to trick you into clicking on links that can compromise your login credentials. Always scrutinize the sender before clicking any links within an email. If you have any doubts, visit the sender’s website directly by manually typing the URL rather than using the embedded link.
Prevent Session Hijacking
When logging into websites, a temporary session cookie is stored in your browser. This cookie can potentially be hijacked by attackers, granting them unauthorized access. To mitigate this risk, make it a habit to log out of websites after each session, especially for business-critical platforms like your website, payment processors, accounting software, and other sensitive applications.
Use a VPN for Public Wi-Fi
If you frequently work outside the office, connecting to public Wi-Fi networks at coffee shops, hotels, or airports, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is highly advisable. VPN providers like NordVPN and ProtonVPN encrypt your internet traffic, shielding it from prying eyes and preventing interception by malicious actors.
Make Yourself a Hard Target
By adopting these security best practices, you can fortify your business against cyber threats and safeguard your valuable data and information. Maintaining robust security measures is an ongoing endeavor, but the effort is well worth the investment in protecting your company’s digital assets.