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Unfortunately, small business owners like bloggers don’t have the same budget as large multinational corporations. Large multinational corporations can hire a full department of information technology (IT) technicians to counter hackers. If you are self-employed, you can protect your data by following these three tips.
1. Have Foresight
The self-employed may have a wealth of skills, but lack the financial resources found in larger companies. Hackers are very active and will naturally prey on the weak. By using the latest malware, updating passwords and creating a hacker response protocol, you can increase your odds of repulsing a hacker attack.
2. Install Malware protection
Every week, the cyber criminals are developing new and more intrusive hacks to undermine businesses. One of the most deadly attack is the invisible rootkit, which will send executable code into your system and act like an “inside job.” While you and your employees may be completely unaware of the presence of this crook, the executable code is able to send private information, passwords and personal data to the hackers.
IT techs have created forums to discuss the latest bugs, worms and viruses attacking networks. By continually checking on these discussions, you can stay up-to-date. You can also receive automatic malware updates.
3. Have strong passwords
Learning how to be extra careful with your passwords is another way to be pro-active about your data security. Consider hiring a security consultant with a criminal justice degree to show you how to recognize the tactics cyber criminals are using to steal data. Combinations of numbers and letters, with avoidance of birthdays and maiden names, can make it more difficult for hackers to penetrate your network. Passwords should also be changed regularly.
Plus: Emergency Hacker Attack Protocol
Along with this process, you should also develop a backup data plan in case you are hacked. By creating a storage file on the cloud, you can be assured that there is a clean version of all your records. If you have been compromised, you can shut down your network, allow the IT techs to clean it thoroughly and then download the clean system from the cloud. Forethought and careful planning could be a lifesaver.
While the self-employed might not have the capacity to hire a full IT staff, they can be prepared. Be pro-active in defending your data from would-be thieves.
Has your blog ever been hacked?
Emma Sturgis
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