Hackers are severe threats to sensitive business data, and some data breaches cost companies millions of dollars.
As software and hardware has evolved and become more powerful, the hacking community has refined its skills, becoming one of the largest threats to data security within and outside the United States. The hacker that your company faces could be a local working from a nearby home or an operative working for a foreign government or a competitor.
Fortunately, the right actions can protect your information from those who try to access it without permission. Here are some useful tips to help you secure your business data from hackers and improve your security.
1. Install and Use a Security Suite
A strong security suite consists of several tools, apps, and protective programs for your computer. These often include antivirus, anti-malware, anti-spyware, and VPN software. You don’t have to get all of these tools from the same company, but you should make sure that none of them block each other or conflict with one another. Add every program to the white list of the other programs that you use.
A computer security suite is essential to protect your data. Many viruses and other malicious types of software can disguise themselves as antivirus programs, send emails that seem like they came from a trusted friend, pretend to be a familiar app, or take up valuable hard drive space. Without a security suite, spending time and effort to avoid malware will keep your employees from concentrating on their jobs. Installing security can increase your company’s profits by improving productivity. For the best protection, keep your software updated to eliminate weaknesses exploited by hackers in the past.
2. Encrypt Your Files
Encryption can keep hackers from stealing your business’s sensitive data. Most operating systems come with their own encryption capabilities, but they may not be strong enough to defeat all hackers by themselves. Many additional encryption tools are available online, and a more heavily encrypted system will be more difficult to defeat. It can also meet government requirements for online payments and protect customer information such as names, addresses, account numbers, and email addresses.
3. Use a VPN
A virtual private network or VPN uses encryption and other security measures to create a secure tunnel from your employee’s computers to a remote server. Your company’s information travels to its recipient from the server, hiding your IP address and identity from hackers. A good VPN is especially useful if some of your employees work from home or go on business trips. By choosing the right VPN, you can protect workers using public or other networks outside your company and keep your business’s information secure.
These easy tips can allow your employees to focus on their work, instead of protecting proprietary business data or avoiding attacks from hackers. You can increase your workers’ productivity and your peace of mind. Keeping your data secure can even encourage your customers to trust your company instead of your competitors.
