The Internet can be a dangerous place for your data and software. Many people unknowingly open an email or Web link, creating a door for a malicious program to enter. Once on your computer or device, this can adversely affect the way your machinery runs and even steal precious information from you.
In the world of business, Internet security is of the highest priority. Not only does a company need to protect itself from threats that could corrupt its system, but it has to protect itself against data theft – something that can be common in certain fields. While Internet service provider comparisons such as Broadband Choices do what they can on their end to protect their clients, every business should ensure that its is well protected as well.
Understanding the Threat
There is seemingly endless jargon surrounding the various security risks that a business can face online, but once you understand the basics, it is easy to identify. The following looks at some of the risks that your company faces.
Adware – These programs do not look to destroy or steal anything but rather track your movements online and then send you a near-endless amounts of ads. The frequency often increases over time and can cause a system to slow down tremendously.
Malware – This form of program will usually cause severe problems on a system, such as erasing data and causing crashes, and can launch a number of unwanted actions.
Phishing – In this form of scamming, a person will receive a fake email or go to a fake Website that looks like the real thing where the scammer will then attempt to steal information. This is common among banks – scammers pretend to be the bank and steal your PIN number along with other information they need.
Spyware – Businesses are especially at risk of spyware, sometimes from competitors. Once the program finds its way onto your computer or device, it spies on everything you do and sends the personal information to an outside party.
Trojan horses – Another major concern for businesses is Trojan horses. Once they make it onto your computer, they cause serious harm by stealing all the data they can get their hands on. They often enter the computer through what looks like a harmless program, like the Trojan horse tale.
Viruses – The main difference between viruses and other malicious programs is their ability to replicate themselves throughout your machine and anything that is connected to the network. They do an array of things including data theft or destruction of files, or just generally cause problems, sometimes just for the fun of it.
What is Wireless Broadband Security?
Broadband security is the securing of the access points from the outside world to your business or personal devices. Many data thieves and hackers will attempt to enter the business’s wireless LAN and office networks in order to achieve their goals. Since a company must have many employees and often clients enter these networks, security is highly important. Not only do the wireless devices and modems need to be made secure, but each device should have reliable firewalls and antivirus programs.
How Can a Business Defend Itself?
Internet service providers often assist in the installation of well-known Internet security programs, including physical firewall machines. There are many variations to choose from depending on your company’s individual needs. Consulting with an IT technician or your ISP can help you to understand what your risks are and which package you need.
Installing and keeping programs such as McAfee on your devices is highly important, as the firewall and antivirus programs that come standard with Windows are not complete enough to be completely safe in most cases. Keeping these programs up-to-date is vital, as new malicious programs are being created every day. While this may help to keep most of the unwanted programs and scams away, a basic understanding of the things that one should avoid and be careful of can significantly help to reduce threats. Not clicking on suspicious emails and regularly changing the WiFi password are two of the actions one can take.
The threats that a business faces from the Internet on a daily basis are manageable and not something to have sleepless nights over – as long as all of the safety measures are followed.
